The Los Angeles Times has reported that a probation report recommends that the man once dubbed “America’s Sheriff”, former Orange County Sheriff Mike Corona, should be sentenced to 6 1/2 years in a federal prison on his conviction for witness tampering.
The probation report was issued last week and immediately sealed. However, the recommendation contained within the report was referred to in a footnote of a motion filed by the federal prosecutors on the case. Probation reports are routinely prepared in these matters to assist the court in making its determination as to the appropriate sentence to impose on a particular case. It is also not unusual for the judge to follow the recommendation of probation.
Corona is the highest ranking law officer to be prosecuted in Orange County. In January of this year, Corona was acquitted of five felony charges stemming from allegations that he abused the powers of his office in exchange for cash and gifts for himself and others. He was, however, convicted of witness tampering stemming from attempts to have former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl lie to a grand jury that he was investigation corruption in the sheriff’s administration. Haidl worked with federal prosecutors to secretly record conversations with Corona.
Corona’s sentencing is set for April 27, 2009. The prosecution and the defense will most certainly prepare and file and sentencing memorandum with their own recommendations as to what the sentence should be in addition to any oral argument at the sentencing. The charge of witness tampering carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
FYI: Corona was dubbed “America’s Sheriff” by CNN’s Larry King after Corona led the efforts to find Samantha Runnion, a 5 year old girl who was kidnapped while playing with a friend outside of her house in Stanton, CA.
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