Pubdate: Wed, 15 Sep 2004
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

JUDGE PLEADS GUILTY, RESIGNS

Crystal Meth Possession Nets Sentence

BROOKHAVEN - Lawrence County justice court judge has pleaded guilty to 
possession of crystal methamphetamine and resigned from office.

Robert C. "Bobby" Fortenberry Jr. entered the plea Monday in Lincoln County 
Circuit Court. He stepped down from office in an agreement with prosecutors 
and the court.

Fortenberry, 46, of New Hebron, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Mike Smith 
to 20 years in prison with 16 years suspended. Fortenberry was fined $5,000 
and ordered to pay $5,400 restitution to the Mississippi Bureau of 
Narcotics. He also was ordered to pay court costs.

Smith ordered Fortenberry to complete the Therapeutic Alcohol and Drug 
Program. Fortenberry was given five years' probation upon his release. An 
additional charge of conspiracy to transfer a controlled substance was 
dismissed, officials said.

Fortenberry was arrested March 26 at a truck stop in Brookhaven and charged 
with possession and conspiracy after an undercover sting operation by law 
enforcement agents who posed as drug dealers.

Fortenberry also worked full-time with Delphi Packard Electric Systems in 
Brookhaven. He lost his job at Delphi Packard in May, also because of the 
alleged drug activity.

Monticello attorney Bob Evans, who represented Fortenberry, said 
Fortenberry intended to "take part of it back to a friend at Packard and 
split it because they went together on the purchase. There would have been 
no profit."

Fortenberry was being held Tuesday in the Lincoln County Jail.

Fortenberry, who won re-election to a fifth term last year, had not 
presided over any cases for several months after being suspended in May. 
Before the suspension, Fortenberry had voluntarily excused himself from his 
duties as a judge pending the results of the trial.

Separate charges against Fortenberry for driving under the influence and 
careless driving in Madison County are still pending. He is scheduled for 
trial Dec. 2 in Madison County on those charges.
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