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Attorney Jones, arsonist Ritsema plead guilty in Superior Court
By Carey Phillips
Defendants in two high profile cases entered guilty pleas last week in Jackson County Superior Court.
Tom Jones, a disbarred Sylva attorney, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of embezzlement.
Kelly Ritsema, a former Western Carolina University student charged with setting three fires in Scott Dorm, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted first-degree arson.
Judge Clarence Horton continued sentencing for the 60-year-old Jones until Oct. 11.
Jones, a former attorney for Jackson County and a former member of the county Board of Elections, previously pleaded guilty to 20 federal counts involving money laundering and embezzlement. He is also awaiting sentencing on those charges.
Jones was charged with embezzling more than $300,000 from the guardianship account of Woodrow Justice, a mentally disabled World War II veteran. Jones was appointed Justice’s guardian in 1969.
The fires on Oct. 28, 29 and 30 caused panic on the WCU campus, especially among Scott Dorm residents. No one was injured in the incidents and damage, mostly from water due to sprinklers being activated, was minor.
All of the fires occurred on the west wing of Scott’s fifth floor where Ritsema, a 22-year-old Raleigh senior, lived and served as resident assistant.
Judge Horton sentenced Ritsema to three separate sentences of not less than 20 nor more than 33 months. In each case, the sentences were suspended for 60 months, and she was placed on supervised probation.
Ritsema was ordered to serve six months in the Electronic House Arrest Program and to perform 300 hours community service. She was also ordered to make $13,982.34 in restitution and pay costs. The restitution is to go to WCU as well to 11 students who had possessions damaged by water.
Judge Horton ordered Ritsema to continue receiving treatment from Dr. Thomas Cornwall and to reside with her mother in Clayton and not move without permission.
Five defendants received active sentences during the court term that convened July 6 at the Justice Center.
Heath Dewayne Huff, 23, of Chattanooga, Tenn., had his probation revoked after admitting to a probation violation. A sentence of not less than five nor more than six months was activated.
Ronnie Gene Moore, 48, of Rain Forest Cove, Sylva, pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and felonious restraint. He was sentenced to not less than 20 nor more than 33 months and given credit for 342 days served.
Angela Franks Sigmon, 34, of Garland Buchanan Road, Sylva, admitted to three probation violations. On each count her probation was revoked. Two sentences of not less than six nor more than eight months were activated as was a sentence of 45 days. The sentences are to run concurrently. She was given credit for 80 days served.
Kenneth Eldon Ashe, 39, of Old Cullowhee Road, Cullowhee, admitted to a probation violation. His probation was revoked, and a sentence of not less than 10 nor more than 12 months was activated. He was given credit for 160 days served.
Justin Charles Brooks, 21, Mamosa Lane, Sylva, admitted to a probation violation. His probation was revoked, and a sentence of not less than six nor more than eight months was activated with credit given for 28 days served. He also pleaded guilty to possession of stolen goods and possession of drug paraphernalia. A sentence of not less than eight nor more than 10 months was handed down, and Brooks was given credit for 107 days served. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Results of other cases in the term are listed below, with information obtained from records on file with the Jackson County Clerk of Court office. Defendants pleaded guilty unless indicated otherwise. In addition to dismissals, dispositions included:
Jane Charlotte Jones, 35, Hopi Village, Tuckasegee, two counts larceny, sentence of not less than six nor more than eight months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation; forgery, sentence of not less than six nor more than eight months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition she pay costs, make restitution and perform 72 hours community service, assigned to Intensive Supervision Program for six months.
Michael Dustin Brooks, 19, East Sylva Circle, Sylva, forgery and uttering, sentence of not less than six nor more than eight months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition he pay costs, make restitution and perform 72 hours community service.
John Paul Messick, 24, Boardwalk, Cullowhee, three counts uttering, on each count sentence of not less than eight nor more than 10 suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition he pay costs, make restitution of $3,403.57 and report for initial evaluation, assigned to Intensive Supervision Program for six months.
Imadeanne Sequoyah, 19, Junaluska Drive, Cherokee, two counts obtain property by false pretenses, sentence of not less than six nor more than eight months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition she pay costs, make restitution of $2,285.47 and report for initial evaluation through Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, given credit for 24 days served.
Lisa Dawn Lee, 36, Allen Henson Circle, Sylva, two counts obtain property by false pretenses, sentence of not less than eight nor more than 10 months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition she pay costs, make restitution and perform 72 hours community service, given credit for 33 days served and assigned to Intensive Supervision Program for six months.
Jamie Lynn Freeman, 27, Chad Crawford Road, Balsam, two counts common law forgery and two counts common law uttering, sentence of 45 days suspended for 12 months and placed on supervised probation on condition she pay costs and make restitution of $1,500.
Matthew Paul Leonard, 24, Sylva, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a Schedule II substance, sentence of not less than seven nor more than nine months suspended for 36 months and placed on supervised probation on condition he pay fine of $500 and costs and perform 72 hours community service, assigned to Intensive Supervision Program for three months.
The following cases were remanded to District Court for compliance with the District Court judgment:
Andrew Clay Bradley, 27, Dillsboro, driving while impaired – level two.
Efrain Gallardo Guzman, 24, Franklin, driving while impaired – level five.
David Hamilton Gentry, 46, Blanton Branch Road, Sylva, driving while impaired – level four.
Jason Shane Taylor, 29, Goose Creek Road, Cherokee, driving while impaired – level five.
Chadwick Teneal Henson, 28, Waynesville, driving while impaired – level five and possession of open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle.
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