Tag: Mingo Corruption

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.

Ex-Mingo Prosecutor Sentenced to One Year in Prison, Additional Supervision

  Former Mingo County prosecutor Michael Sparks has been sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty in a federal corruption case.

Sparks was sentenced Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Charleston. In addition to his time behind bars, he was sentenced to a year of supervised release.

Sparks pleaded guilty in 2013 to depriving campaign sign maker George White of his constitutional rights.

Prosecutors say Sparks participated in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from accusations that the sheriff bought prescription painkillers from White.

Sparks’ attorney had asked U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston for an alternative sentence like community service.

Former Mingo Judge Appeals 50-Month Sentence

  A former Mingo County judge who pleaded guilty to a corruption charge is appealing his 50-month prison sentence.

The Williamson Daily News reports that Michael Thornsbury’s attorney has filed a notice of appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.

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 from accusations that the sheriff bought prescription painkillers from White.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston earlier this month agreed with prosecutors who argued that Thornsbury deserved more prison time than the 30 to 37 months suggested by federal sentencing guidelines. Johnston said Thornsbury’s abuse of power was akin to that of “a third-world dictator.”

Ex-Mingo Prosecutor's Sentencing Rescheduled Again

Former Mingo County prosecutor Michael Sparks’ sentencing on corruption charges has been rescheduled again.

Sparks was slated to be sentenced June 16 in federal court in Charleston. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston on Monday rescheduled the proceeding for July 7.

Court records show Sparks originally was set to be sentenced Feb. 24. His sentencing was reset three times prior to Johnston’s latest order.

Sparks pleaded guilty in 2013 to depriving campaign sign maker George White of his constitutional rights.

Prosecutors say Sparks participated in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from accusations that the sheriff bought prescription painkillers from White.

Former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury was sentenced Monday to 50 months in prison for his role in the scheme.

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.

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