Tag: Judge Michael Thornsbury

Lawsuits Against Former Mingo County Judge Settled

Two lawsuits against former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury have been settled.

Robert Woodruff’s federal lawsuit alleged malicious prosecution, false arrest and wrongful imprisonment. His wife filed a separate suit in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Federal court documents say Robert Woodruff’s case is settled.

The Woodruffs’ attorney, Mike Callaghan, says the wife’s case has also been settled. He declined to specify settlement terms.

Thornsbury was indicted last year on charges of trying to frame Woodruff for several crimes. The charges were later dismissed in exchange for Thornsbury’s guilty plea in a separate case involving a scheme to protect the late Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum.

Thornsbury is serving a 50-month sentence in a Florida federal prison. He was transported to South Central Regional Jail for a potential trial. 

Ex-W.Va. Judge Reports to Florida Prison

 A former West Virginia judge has reported to a Florida prison to serve his sentence for a corruption conviction.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports ex-Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury reported Tuesday to the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola.

Thornsbury was sentenced June 9 to four years and two months in prison. U.S. Judge Thomas E. Johnston compared Thornsbury’s abuse of power to what could be expected from a “third-world dictator.”

Last year Thornsbury pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive campaign sign maker George White of his constitutional rights. Prosecutors said Thornsbury participated in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum, a political ally, from accusations that the sheriff bought prescription painkillers from White.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons determined where Thornsbury would serve his sentence.

Former Mingo Judge Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison

A former Mingo County judge has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for federal corruption charges.

Michael Thornsbury was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to deprive George White of his constitutional rights.

The conspiracy charge was related to a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from illegal drug use accusations.

The sentence was more than the federal sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors had said Thornsbury should receive a lengthy sentence because he abused his power and damaged the county’s judicial system.

Thornsbury’s lawyers wanted leniency, saying he has cooperated with an ongoing federal corruption investigation in the county.

They say his wife divorced him, he lost his law license and pension, and someone burned down his parents’ home.

Feds Seek Lengthy Sentence for Ex-Mingo Judge

Federal prosecutors say a former Mingo County judge should receive a lengthy sentence because he abused his power and damaged the county’s judicial system.

Former Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury is asking for leniency in sentencing. Thornsbury’s lawyers say he has cooperated with an ongoing federal corruption investigation in the county.

Both sides filed sentencing recommendations in federal court this week. Thornsbury is scheduled to be sentenced June 9.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to deprive George White of his constitutional rights.

Prosecutors say Thornsbury railroaded a defendant in his court to further his own political interests.

Thornsbury’s lawyers say the impact of his conviction already has been overwhelming. His wife divorced him, he lost his law license and his pension, and someone burned down his parents’ home place.

Mingo Circuit Court Judge Post Remains Unfilled

The seat vacated by convicted former Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury remains unfilled more than a month after a deadline under state law to find a replacement.

An advisory panel in December recommended public defenders Teresa McCune and Jonathan Jewell to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin as potential candidates to replace Thornsbury until the May 13 primary election.

Under state law, Tomblin had 30 days after receiving the candidates’ list to make an appointment. The Charleston Gazette reports Friday marked 73 days since that time.

Tomblin spokeswoman Amy Shuler Goodwin didn’t immediately return a telephone message.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty in October to a federal conspiracy charge and resigned. Two judges are temporarily filling in, and four Democrats have filed to run for the seat in the primary.

Figure in W.Va. Corruption Probe Wants Trial Moved

A central figure in the federal corruption investigation in Mingo County wants his trial moved out of the county.
 
     Lawyers for 65-year-old George White of Delbarton say their client can’t get a fair trial in Mingo County.
 
     The Charleston Gazette reports that White’s lawyers filed a motion last week in Mingo County Circuit Court requesting a change of venue.
 
     Former Mingo County prosecutor Michael Sparks has pleaded guilty to depriving White of his constitutional rights. Former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury has pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive White of his rights. They were charged in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from revelations that Crum bought drugs from White.
 
     White’s lawyers say Thornsbury and Sparks held significant political influence in Mingo County.
 

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