Ethan Couch, the convicted drink driver once branded a victim of “affluenza” due to the apparent influence of immense wealth on his decision-making, has been released from a Texan jail after two years behind bars.
RELEASED: Now 20, Ethan Couch, who gained notoriety as the “affluenza teen” after his defense argued a wealthy upbringing contributed to his fatal DUI crash that killed four, walked out of a Texas jail after a 2-year sentence for a probation violation. https://t.co/765m5nXmZI pic.twitter.com/qu5iVWLuns
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 2, 2018
The 20-year-old, who in 2013 was found responsible for the deaths of four people and serious injuries to another, had his case broadcast worldwide after a juvenile court judge sentenced him to ten years on probation.
Critics and prosecutors were left incensed after pushing for a 20-year prison sentence, and his case became synonymous with apparent courtroom bias towards young, white, and affluent criminal offenders.
Couch was filmed attending a party in late 2015, which may have constituted a violation of his parole. In the days after the incident, Couch and his mother Tonya Couch vanished from their home.
The pair were then located in Mexico after altering their appearances and discarding their identification documents. They were brought back to the United States, where the then-teen was sentenced to 720 days in detention for his attempted escape across the border.
Tonya Couch, who was on bond for allegedly helping her son skip out on his parole, was also arrested on Wednesday. She was found to have drugs in her system, violating the conditions of her parole.
Ethan Couch’s ten-year probation period still stands. He is not allowed to leave the Fort Worth area without the go-ahead from authorities; he must seek work and conduct community service; and he has been banned from drinking or driving.
