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. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager