Disgraced former judge wants sentence overturned
HOUSTON
Attorneys for former judge /*Samuel Kent*/ filed a motion in federal
court Monday asking for re-sentencing. They argue that the Federal
Bureau of Prisons ignored Kent's intended sentence and treated him
as a sex offender even though he pleaded guilty to a non-sexual
offense.
The federal prison system has denied Kent access to a substance
abuse treatment program and computer skills classes, classified him
as a sex offender and "wrongfully subjected Sam Kent to unusually
cruel and abusive treatment including extended periods in solitary
confinement," according to the motion.
Kent is serving his sentence in a prison run by the Florida
Department of Corrections, according to the motion.
Federal prosecutors have not filed a response to Kent's motion.
The U.S. Attorney's office didn't immediately respond to a message
left by The Associated Press.
Kent's sentence began in June 2009 after his guilty plea for
lying to federal investigators about sexually assaulting two female
employees. That same month, he resigned from the bench following
his impeachment by the House of Representatives. The Senate had
begun gathering evidence for his impeachment trial.
By resigning, the former Galveston- and Houston-based judge
forfeited his $174,000 annual salary and benefits.
As part of his plea bargain, Kent admitted trying to force his
former case manager into unwanted sex acts in 2003 and 2007. He did
the same with his secretary from 2004 through at least 2005.