Debra Brown Plea Deal: Public Won't Know Jack

U.S. District Attorney James T. Jacks and Defense Attorney David Guinn worked out the Debra Brown embezzlement plea deal.  For stealing $237,013 over six years, Debra Brown pleaded guilty to one count of theft, when six counts made the indictment.

Each count carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. Restitution also could be ordered.

 U.S. Attorney James Jacks oversaw other San Angelo cases:

City/County Health Department Chief Mike Loving for child pornography
Mohammed Fayyaz Hayat's wire fraud (owner of American Halal Meat Processors, Inc.)
Hughes family transaction structuring case
Jonathan Jameson for bank robbery/bomb threat
Members of the Mexican Mafia on drug charges
Dentist James Crow for health care fraud

The dental billing fraud has parallels to the Brown case.

Each of the health care fraud counts carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

At trial Crow got 70 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1.6 million in restitution.  Debra Brown's plea deal means no trial.  However, there will be a sentencing hearing before the same judge that convicted Dr. Crow.

Brown's defense attorney is a master of understatement: 

Asked to comment on his client’s guilty plea to one count, Brown’s attorney, David M. Guinn, said “it’s too early.”  “We need to wait until sentencing to speak,” he said.

It's darned near too late for those wanting information, accountability and justice.  I believe at least one citizen will be disappointed:

This community DEMANDS accountability and full exposure of any CRIME by entrusted persons. No plea bargaining. No sweeping it under the carpet. NO "official (political) influence" upon TRUTHFUL reporting. We DEMAND a FULL investigation and, if indicated, CHARGES against ALL involved followed by PROSECUTION and a TRIAL with a jury of "peers".  IBTenacious May 16, 2011

Thanks to Jacks, we don't get to know Jack.

Update 6-19-12:  The Standard Times reported Debra Brown was sentenced to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $325,000 to the Children's Advocacy Center and a $10,000 fine.