Tag: Sentencing

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.

W.Va. Court Orders New Sentence in Truancy Case

  The West Virginia Supreme Court says a Kanawha County woman convicted in a truancy case can’t be both fined and ordered to perform community service.
 
The court says a Kanawha County judge also erred when he placed Beth Bennett on 90 days’ probation.
 
In an opinion issued Tuesday, the court says there are two sentencing alternatives for first-offense truancy. They are a fine, or requiring the adult to accompany the child to school.

The judge fined Bennett $50. The court says the fine wasn’t suspended, so there’s no basis for probation or community service.
 
Bennett pleaded guilty in April 2013 after her child had five unexcused absences from school. The court upheld her guilty plea.
 
The case was sent back to Kanawha County for resentencing.
 

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