05272010 - Sam Riddle - Sentenced - DV Assault Against State Rep Mary Waters

Also See:

Sam Riddle's arrest and trial for domestic violence assault on former Michigan State Representative Mary Waters [December 21, 2009]:

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/sam-riddle-charged-w-dv-assault-on-rep.html

Riddle Loses Appeal Over Assault, Gun Convictions
Updated: Wednesday, 23 Nov 2011, 11:01 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 23 Nov 2011, 11:01 AM EST
FOX TV News, Detroit
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/riddle-loses-appeal-over-assault-gun-convictions-20111123




Sam Riddle appears in court for sentencing on May 27, 2010. (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)


DETROIT - The Michigan appeals court has upheld the convictions of Sam Riddle, a Detroit political consultant who pulled out a shotgun when his companion found him in bed with another woman.

The appeals court said Wednesday that a rational person encountering Riddle would have believed his conduct was hostile.

Riddle was convicted of felonious assault and a gun crime last year. His companion at the time, Mary Waters, called police after discovering him in bed with another woman. Riddle pulled out a shotgun and racked it, although Waters testified that she didn't believe the gun was loaded.

The appeals court says a lack of fear doesn't erase an assault. Riddle's two-year prison sentence is being served at the same time as his 37-month federal sentence for corruption.










SAM RIDDLE GETS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN PRSION FOR ASSAULT CASE
05.28.2010 07.15 am
Detroit Online
http://www.idetroitonline.com/archive/news/05-28-2010-sam-riddle-gets-2-years.html





DETROIT POLITICAL CONSULTANT....
Sam Riddle has been sentenced to two years in prison in an assault case involving a shotgun and his companion.

Riddle got his punishment Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court. He had been found guilty of pulling out a shotgun when his live-in companion, Mary Waters, found him in bed with another woman in December.

Judge Gregory Bill ordered two years in prison for the gun crime and probation for the assault.

Riddle is in federal custody and hopes to stay there to serve his state sentence. He surrendered to U.S. marshals Tuesday to get a head start on a sentence for corruption.

Riddle pleaded guilty to conspiracy last week and faces up to 37 months in prison when he gets his sentence in August.

Although Wayne County Circuit Judge Gregory Bill remanded the controversial political consultant to the custody of the Wayne County Sheriff and the Michigan Department of Corrections, just where Riddle will serve his time remains undecided.

"It is our hope that he will go into the federal system," said Richard Convertino, Riddle's lawyer in federal court, where he faces sentencing for corruption charges for which he pleaded guilty last week.

Sentencing in that case is set for August, but Riddle, 63, turned himself in on Tuesday to U.S. Marshalls. Riddle was returned today to the custody of federal authorities who have kept him in the St. Clair County Jail. The arrangement caused confusion and the postponement of Riddle's planned sentencing on the assault and gun charge in Wayne County on Wednesday.

Today, Bill gave Riddle the mandatory sentence for using a firearm in the commission of a felony crime. Riddle also was given three years probation for assault. Riddle's conviction on the charges stemmed from an incident before Christmas in which Waters found Riddle in her bed with another woman.

Bill eased the way for federal authorities to take Riddle by ruling that the gun charge can be served concurrently with any sentence he receives in federal court in his corruption plea. Under state law, the two-year gun violation sentence must be served before any other sentences given under state statute. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Rebecca Camargo also said her office has no objection to Bill's ruling or to Riddle serving his time in federal custody.

During his sentencing, Riddle told the judge that he takes full responsibility for his actions, "the shame and the blame for it." He said he has tried to do good things in his life, and he plans to return to Detroit after he is released from prison.

"I will fight for a better Detroit. I will champion peace over violence," said Riddle who has developed a large following for his bold comments on Internet social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter. "I could have railed against the system being up against a brother, but I'm not."

Waters, who is Riddle's co-defendant in one of his federal cases, and Riddle's minister, the Rev. Horace Sheffield, also made statements in court about the good Riddle has done in Detroit.

"I do sit here today as a victim, but not of Sam Riddle, but of the system," said Waters who added that she never wanted Riddle charged with a crime. "When I made that 911 call that day, I did it for Sam. We both were under a great deal of pressure. ... Oh, I was mad, but I wanted to get counseling for Sam, for his drinking."

Waters asked the judge to consider any "loophole" that might allow Riddle to remain free. But Sheffield said he understood the judge was bound by the law to give Riddle the two-year mandatory sentenced.

"I want Sam to be encouraged. That's why I am here," said Sheffield, who also said he was Riddle's Alcoholic's Anonymous sponsor. "I know he struggled with alcohol. The chemical has more power over you then your will."

Last week, Riddle pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Marianne O. Battani to a federal conspiracy charge that will send him to prison for up to 37 months. As part of his plea, Riddle admitted bribing former Southfield City Councilman William Lattimore in connection with a pawn shop relocation, extorting businesses when he worked as a top aide to former Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers, and evading federal taxes on his ill-gotten gains.

When his first federal trial on Detroit corruption charges ended with a hung jury, Riddle said he had planned to continue to fight. But he changed his mind after his conviction in the assault case.

Waters, whom Riddle had been ordered to stay away from while the domestic assault issue was pending, said after the sentencing today that she will be taking over Riddle's popular Facebook pages on which he has more than 8,000 followers.

"I will be trying to keep Sam's many friends up to date on where he is and what's going on," Waters said.










Sam Riddle sentenced to 2 years in prison for gun conviction; 3 years probation for assault
Posted: 05/27/2010
By: Michael Rosenfield
WXYZ TV News, Detroit
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/wayne_county/sam-riddle-sentenced-to-2-years-in-prison-for-gun-conviction%3B-3-years-for-assault

Sam Riddle Addresses the Court at his sentencing hearing.

Former State Representative Mary Waters testifies at Sam Riddle's sentencing hearing.




Former State Representative Mary Waters testifies at Sam Riddle's sentencing hearing.

Sam Riddle

Sam Riddle

Former State Representative Mary Waters breaks down during her testimony during Sam Riddle's sentencing hearing.

Sam Riddle is taken into custody after his sentencing hearing.

Sam Riddle is taken into custody after his sentencing hearing.

Former State Representative Mary Waters informs the media, after the sentencing hearing, that she still considers Sam Riddle her friend.



DETROIT, Mich. (WXYZ) - Political consultant Sam Riddle was sentenced Thursday to the mandatory 2 years for a firearms conviction. He also received 3 years probation for assault.

A Wayne County jury convicted Riddle three weeks ago of assaulting long-time companion and former state representative Mary Waters and pointing a shotgun at her after she walked in on him in bed with another woman in December.

Riddle told the judge he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Waters was also allowed to address the court. She said she was never a battered woman. Rather, she says she was a victim of the Wayne County Prosecutor because she never wanted felony charges filed. She says she only called 911 the day of the crime to get Riddle help for his drinking.

Riddle will serve the time concurrently with the sentence he will receive in August in connection with a federal bribary and corruption case. He faces up to 37 months after reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

Riddle turned himself in to federal authorities earlier this week to ensure he would serve his prison time in a federal prison rather than a state prison because he was in their custody first.

Riddle today could have received up to 17 months behind bars on the assault charge.

05032010 - Deputy Scott Ford - Violation Of Probation - Emmet County SD

FORMER DEPUTY SCOTT FORD: VIOLATION OF PROBATION [ MAY 03, 2010 ].

On January 12, 2010, Ford was sentenced to 11 months in jail and two years of probation. On May 03, 2010, Ford violated the terms of his probation.

"According to reports written May 3 by two separate corrections officers at the Charlevoix County Jail, Ford was “allegedly exposing himself in a sexual manner toward female inmates.”







ALSO SEE:
DEPUTY SCOTT FORD, EMMET COUNTY SD [October 19, 2007]
Misuse of Sheriff Department LEIN system to stalk ex-girlfriend.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.html

DEPUTY SCOTT FORD, EMMET COUNTY SD [Summer 2008]
Sexually assaulted a woman during traffic stops
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/06/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.html

DEPUTY SCOTT FORD, EMMET COUNTY SD [December 07, 2008]
Misconduct while on duty.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/12/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.htmlMichigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence

ORIGINAL CHARGES:  Two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of obstructing justice, five felony weapon charges for committing crimes in uniform while armed with his service pistol; two counts of refusing to aid the sheriff; false certification impermissible use of personal information, unauthorized access of the LEIN computer network; and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime.













Ford sentenced to additional month in jail and sex offender assessment for probation violation
July 02, 2010
By Christina Rohn News-Review Staff Writer
Petoskey News
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-07-02/scott-harold-ford_24152101

A former Emmet County Sheriff’s deputy, who recently admitted to violating his two-year probation term while serving time in the Charlevoix County Jail, had an additional month added to his sentence Thursday, July 1, in 57th Circuit Court.

Scott Harold Ford, 40, of Carp Lake was more than halfway complete with serving the first six months of his 11-month jail term, which Judge Charles W. Johnson sentenced him to in January, for crimes he had pleaded guilty to committing in 2007 and 2008.

Ford was sentenced for one count of unauthorized access of a computer network (Law Enforcement Information Network), a five-year felony; and two counts of refusal to aid the sheriff, both of which are 90-day misdemeanors.

During the time of his initial sentencing, Johnson ordered Ford to serve the first six months of his punishment in the Charlevoix County Jail, with the possibility of tether if he exhibited good behavior. In addition, he was also allowed work release.

This changed on May 3, when two corrections officers from the Charlevoix County Jail reported that Ford had been “allegedly exposing himself in a sexual manner toward female inmates.”

A jail disciplinary board conducted a review of Ford’s actions and determined that he was responsible for unauthorized communication with other inmates, as well as creating a disturbance.

On June 3, Ford pleaded guilty to unauthorized communication, and as a result, the Emmet County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the second count against him.

During Ford’s probation violation sentencing Thursday, July 1, Duane Beach, chief assistant prosecutor for Emmet County, asked that Johnson require Ford to complete a sex offender assessment.

“I’m urging this court to consider this deviant behavior,” Beach said. “It wasn’t like he chose a private place to do it ... it certainly merits an assessment to find the cause of this behavior.”

Toward the end of the proceedings, Ford wept as he spoke on his own behalf.

“Your honor, I’m not a sex offender ... I did involve myself in behavior that is ridiculous now that I think about it,” he said. “This is no place I ever saw myself ... I’m losing so much, my house is for sale ... I have no income, and I’ve never been without a job my entire adult life — I’m out of options with my wife ... I just want this to be over.”

Judge Johnson asked Ford why he wasn’t thinking of these things before he participated in the action that brought him before the court.

“It was a stupid game,” Ford said. “It was poor, poor judgment. I apologize to have to waste the court’s time.”

As a result of these proceedings, Johnson revoked Ford’s opportunity for work release or tether, and added an additional month to his 11-month sentence — making his a one-year jail term, with 173 days credit for time already served.

In addition, Johnson is also requiring that Ford receive a sex offender assessment.


“This defendant’s conduct is characterized as grossly inappropriate for many, many reasons, not the least of which is that this man is married,” Johnson said.








Ex-deputy Ford admits to probation violation
could face five years in prison
June 04, 2010
Christina Rohn
Petoskey News
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-06-04/probation_24150981

A former sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty today in 57th Circuit Court to three of the nine charges against him.

Scott Harold Ford, 39, of Carp Lake, who was fired from the Emmet County Sheriff's Department in December of 2008, for allegedly committing several acts of misconduct while on duty, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of unauthorized access of a computer network (Law Enforcement Information Network), a five-year felony; and two counts of refusal to aid the sheriff, both 90-day misdemeanors.

In exchange for this plea, the Emmet County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the remaining six charges against Ford, which include one count of false certification - impermissible use of personal information, a five-year felony; one count of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony; two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, both two-year, high-court misdemeanors; and two counts of obstructing justice, both five-year felonies.

Judge Charles W. Johnson sentenced him to 11 months in jail, two years probation and 200 hours of community service.

The 39-year-old Carp Lake resident was being sentenced for three charges he pleaded guilty to in October 2009, which included one count of unauthorized access of a computer network (Law Enforcement Information Network), a five-year felony; and two counts of refusal to aid the sheriff, both of which are 90-day misdemeanors.

During sentencing, Johnson stipulated that Ford would be required to spend the first six months of his sentence in jail, with the opportunity for tether if he exhibits good behavior.

Former Emmet County Sheriff’s deputy Scott Ford pleaded guilty Thursday, June 3, in 57th Circuit Court to “unauthorized communication” with fellow inmates — one of two probation violation counts against him.

At the time of this alleged violation, Ford was serving time in the Charlevoix County Jail for a previous crime.

In January, Judge Charles W. Johnson ordered Ford to serve 11 months in jail, with the first six months to be served immediately, after he pleaded guilty in October 2009 to one count of unauthorized access of a computer network (the Law Enforcement Information Network) and two counts of refusal to aid the sheriff.

As part of Ford’s sentence, he was also placed on two years probation, and granted work release, as well as the opportunity for tether if he exhibited good behavior.

According to reports written May 3 by two separate corrections officers at the Charlevoix County Jail, Ford was “allegedly exposing himself in a sexual manner toward female inmates.”
 
During his plea hearing Thursday, Ford admitted his guilt to Judge Johnson for the first count against him.

“I was improperly communicating with other inmates,” he said. “I was making hand gestures and communication gestures though the reflection of a jail window.”

As a result of his plea, the Emmet County Prosecutor’s Office is dropping the second charge against Ford in his probation violation case.

Although a date has not yet been set for Ford’s sentencing on this matter, Judge Johnson indicated that he could face up to five years in prison for the charge.

In addition, Johnson stated during Thursday’s hearing that Ford would no longer be allowed work release, and that tether was out of the question.









Ex-Emmet County deputy Scott Ford to be sentenced July 1 for probation violation
June 16, 2010
Christina Rohn
Petoskey News
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-06-16/scott-harold-ford_24151923

A former Emmet County Sheriff’s deputy, who recently violated his two-year probation while serving time in the Charlevoix County Jail, is set for sentencing next month.

Scott Harold Ford, 40, of Carp Lake, was more than halfway complete with serving a six-month jail sentence handed down in January by 57th Circuit Court Judge Charles W. Johnson for improper use of the Law Enforcement Information Network and refusing to aid the sheriff, when he violated his probation.

According to reports written May 3 by two separate corrections officers at the Charlevoix County Jail, Ford was “allegedly exposing himself in a sexual manner toward female inmates.”

As a result, a jail disciplinary board conducted a review of Ford’s actions, and determined that he was responsible for the allegations of unauthorized communication with other inmates, as well as creating a disturbance.

On Jan. 3, Ford pleaded guilty to unauthorized communication, and as a result of his plea, the Emmet County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the second count against him.




Ford asks for hearing on probation violation
May 21, 2010
By Steve Zucker
Petoskey News
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-05-21/probation_24150682

Former Emmet County Sheriff’s deputy Scott Ford, has asked a judge for a full hearing on charges that he violated his probation while serving time in the Charlevoix County Jail.

Ford, 39, stood mute when he was brought before 57th Circuit Court Judge Charles W. Johnson Thursday to answer charges that some of his alleged actions while incarcerated violated the terms of his probation.

Through his attorney, he requested that a full evidentiary hearing be scheduled for the judge to determine if he has violated the terms of his probation. The hearing will be scheduled in about 30 days.

In January, Ford was sentenced to serve 11 months in jail, with the first six months to be served immediately after he pleaded guilty in October to one count of unauthorized access of a computer network and two counts of refusing to aid the sheriff.

Ford served as an Emmet County sheriff’s deputy for nearly nine years, and admitted during a plea hearing in October to unlawfully accessing the Law Enforcement Information Network on Oct. 18, 2007, to access the personal information of an ex-girlfriend, who alleged that she and her children suffered psychological harm from his conduct

More recently, a disciplinary board at the Charlevoix County Jail found Ford responsible for allegations of “unauthorized communication with other inmates” and "creating a disturbance.”





Ford facing probation violation hearing
May 20, 2010
By Steve Zucker
Petoskey News
http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2010-05-20/probation_24152212

A former Emmet County Sheriff’s Deputy could see more time added to the jail sentence he is currently serving when he faces a probation violation hearing today, Thursday.

Scott Harold Ford, 39, of Carp Lake is scheduled to be back in 57th Circuit Court at 3:30 p.m. today, Thursday, to answer allegations that he has violated his probation by means of his behavior while incarcerated in the Charlevoix County Jail, Emmet County Prosecutor Jim Linderman said.

In January, Ford was sentenced to serve 11 months in jail, with the first six months to be served immediately after he pleaded guilty in October to one count of unauthorized access of a computer network and two counts of refusing to aid the sheriff.

Ford served as an Emmet County sheriff’s deputy for nearly nine years, and admitted during a plea hearing in October, to unlawfully accessing the Law Enforcement Information Network on Oct. 18, 2007, to access the personal information of an ex-girlfriend, who alleged that she and her children suffered psychological harm from his conduct.

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin fired Ford within hours of learning of the allegations against him.

Linderman said the probation violation stems from allegations that Ford has engaged in disruptive and threatening behavior while at the Charlevoix County Jail. He said at this time, Ford is not facing any new charges in connection with his alleged behavior, but he said conditions of Ford’s probation prohibit such behavior.

According to officials at the Charlevoix County Jail, a jail disciplinary board found Ford responsible for allegations of “unauthorized communication with other inmates” and "creating a disturbance.”

Jail officials said Ford admitted to both counts.
According to jail officials, Ford was accused of violating jail rules by attempting to communicate with other inmates outside of his cell using various hand gestures and signs, and that his attempts to do this caused a disturbance among his cell-mates who were concerned that his actions could also get them in trouble.

Linderman said if Ford is found responsible for the probation violation, the judge could add to the sentence he has already imposed.