Wise County Commissioner Accepts Plea Bargain

County Commissioner Terry Ross

Wise County Commissioner of Precinct #4 dodged a career-ending bullet today by accepting a plea bargain agreement. Instead of the felony charges of tampering with governmental records and theft of $500 to $1,500 by a public servant, Ross agreed to plead guilty to a lesser Class B misdemeanor charge of abuse of official capacity greater than $20 and less than $500. The terms of the agreement also suspended a sentence of 180 days in jail. Ross will serve no jail time but will serve one year's probation and pay $500 in restitution. A civil hearing will now determine Ross' future as County Commissioner. District Judge Roger Towery of Clay County presided over the case.