posted January 12, 2009
Former bondsman Jerry Brock was sentenced Monday to three years probation for paying a court clerk to remove bonds from the docket.
Criminal Court Judge Don Poole directed that Brock perform one day a month of community service during the probation period.
Defense attorney Marty Levitt had asked for judicial diversion, but that was denied. Attorney Levitt said Brock had already been punished heavily in the case.
He said he was in solitary confinement for nine days after his arrest for paying Scott Simcox of General Sessions Court. He then spent 27 months on house arrest.
He and his brother, Mike Brock, were convicted of similar charges in Federal Court, but the convictions were thrown out on appeal.
Brock admitted paying about $2,500 to Simcox and said he regrets the action.
He said he has been working hard to rebuild the family restaurant business in Trenton, Ga.
Asked if the publicity about the case had caused his teenage children embarrassment at school, he broke down and nodded yes.
Red Bank Commissioner Ruth Jeno took the witness stand in his behalf, saying the Jerry Brock family "is what I would like to see every family in America be like."
She said he is a hard worker and family man who "is always the first to help someone in need."
Don Walker, pastor of the Trenton Church of Christ, also spoke in his behalf, saying Brock is very remorseful.
Attorney Levitt said there were 17 other character witnesses he could have called for the Gulf War veteran.
Prosecutor Neal Pinkston said there were certain factors in the defendant's favor, though he said the charge was such that judicial diversion was not appropriate.
"Wielding influence over the courts should not go unnoticed," he said.
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