John Young Sentenced to Prison

SAN ANGELO, TX — After 18 days of testimony, the jury in John Young’s forgery, theft and money laundering trial sentenced him to 11 years in prison and $40,000 in fines.  Judge Brock Jones will set restitution at a later date.

Young’s daughter burst into tears as Judge Jones read the verdict.  His wife sobbed, “I can’t stand up.”  She was sitting behind Young in the courtroom.  Young stood with his attorney Frank Sellers, who had his arm around Young.  

Young didn’t cry in court today until he hugged his son just before they left the courtroom.  

The jury was instructed that because the theft charge was a state jail felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison they would have to sentence him to more than ten years or he would be out on appeal today.  The 11 year sentence means he will be jailed until his appeal is heard in court.

The jury sentenced Young to 24 months for the first count of forgery with a $10,000 fine, 24 months on the second forgery count with a $10,000 fine, 11 years on the theft count with a $10,000 fine, and 11 years on the money laundering count with a $10,000 fine.  Each fine was the maximum.  The sentences run concurrently.

Young left out the back of the courthouse in custody while his wife, children, family members and attorneys left out the front door.  Young was taken across the street to the Tom Green County Jail to begin his sentence.