Branders sentenced in district court
18.05.12
AZTEC — The final two men who branded a swastika on the arm of a Navajo man with mental disabilities were sentenced Tuesday in district court, bringing closure to a case nearly two years in the making.
Paul Beebe, 28, and Jesse Sanford, 26, were sentenced to nine years each in prison for the roles they played in the branding.
Both pleaded guilty in state court July 19. Beebe pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping in the first degree a second-degree felony and third-degree felony aggravated battery. Sanford also pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and fourth-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated battery.
Chief District Judge John Dean, following impassioned statements from both the prosecution and the defense, sentenced Beebe to nine years for the attempted kidnapping and three for the aggravated battery, but the terms will be served together.
Dean sentenced Sanford to nine and three years, respectively, and ordered they also be served together.
One of the kickers
Source: Farmington Daily Times