Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 37 comments Add your own | iPod friendly

Phillips could stay in county jail

Meeks: Former judge may have to await transfer to state prison

Published Monday, October 12, 2009

At the end of her 15-day deadline, former Covington County Probate Judge Sherrie Phillips will follow the same process “as anyone else booked into the county jail,” Sheriff Dennis Meeks said Monday.

Phillips, who was convicted in October 2008 of theft by deception of $1.8 million and intentionally using her position for unlawful personal gain and sentenced in November 2008, was notified Friday her appeals request was denied by the Alabama Supreme Court. As a result, she must now surrender to the county sheriff within 15 days.

When she arrives, it will be business as usual, Meeks said.

“First, she has to turn herself in, and I’m sure she’ll wait until the 15th day to do that,” he said. “Now, that could be five minutes before midnight on Oct. 24. Until then, the ball is in her court.

“Once she arrives, she will face the same booking process as anyone else,” he said.

Meeks said once the booking process is completed, Phillips would be placed in the female section of the county jail because “I have nowhere else to put her,” and wait until the state’s Department of Corrections gives notice it will accept her.

“What happens is her transcript is sent up, which will place her in their system,” he said. “From there, it will go to the transfer division, who has a 30-day window to tell us when to bring her.

“She’s technically a state prisoner already,” he said. “We will just be housing her, and from that point, she’s basically in a holding point until the DOC calls for her.”

At the time of her transfer, Phillips will be sent to the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, where she will begin serving two concurrent sentences of 10 years, which were split for her to serve three years incarceration. Once released, Phillips must undergo three years of supervised probation.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Charles Price, who issued the split sentence, will retain jurisdiction over the case, which means he could enter an order to release Phillips before her three years are up.

Meeks said he has had no communication with Phillips and does not know when she intends to turn herself in.




Comments

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 5:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its going to be a scary halloween for Sherrie this year.

Posted by jujaphillips (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Justice has been served and now she must suffer the consequences. I'm proud to be an American.

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No matter how much employees are told not to discuss things situations still get discussed. I hope Sherrie is not treated any different then anyone else. If she is word will leak out. If the employees don't talk about it the inmates will.

Posted by pre_girl (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what she get!!! She's not the only crook in Andalusia.....

Posted by Kathy052 (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

She will never spend one day in jail. They will come up with something. I hate to say it but it is true. But if it was me I would be in there from day one but I am glad I am not a theif.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats OK. The people are watching all State & County Elected Offical's. Elections are in 2010.

Posted by rutherfords_1 (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

let's just wait and see.....you never can tell what may happen in between now and then???
we may be shocked....not exactly.
this story is really getting to be boring, we all know the outcome

Posted by trisha9 (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I look at all the HYPOCRITES that post these comments and I have to laugh. There are alot of people in Covington County who lead very boring lives. These people need to stop and think that this may very well be some of their relatives one day, and it's VERY likely that it will be. So,before you open your mouth to judge Sherry I would clean around my own back door if I were you. To Sherry, we love you and we are behind you 100%.

Posted by doc (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can still love an idiot. No one said anything about love and support and she will need it because those places are ROUGH! What they are saying, dearest Trisha9, is that Sherrie's time has come. She has already been judged and now she needs to do her time. The end.

Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it customary for state prisoners to spend their entire sentence in the local jail near their home?

She will likely spend some time in jail. She should also pay back all funds received, with interest, and pay all her own legal expenses. I hope the state doesn't keep her too long however because I have to pay part of the cost.

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a 'toss up' Patrick, all depending on everyones mood at the moment and time with state prison time involving a non violet offense. She will belong to the Alabama Department of Corrections until a judge somewhere lets her out, until then its just anybodys guess where she will be housed, she is a 'hot potatoe' right now and no politician wants her under their control because you can't please everyone in this situation. She has the choice herself how her time will go, beleive it or not, she can make it 'hard' on herself and do 'hard time', or she can make it easy, repent and remorse, (volunteer to pick up the roadside paper and be seen and ridicled) and do some easy time....its up to her really how it will go. Ask any jailer or corrections officer.

Posted by rutherfords_1 (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GIVE ME A BREAK...."KIN FOLK", "RELATIVES", OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IF THEY COMMIT A CRIME, LIKE SHE'S BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE COMMITTED,(NOT AN IMAGINARY CRIME HERE), THEN SHE HAS TO DO THE TIME. I WOULD TELL ME RELATIVES THIS,EVEN MY OWN CHILD...SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING WAS WRONG WHEN SHE DID IT BUT SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD COVER IT UP BECAUSE SHE HAD THAT MUCH POWER AND WAS ABOVE THE LAW, NOT SO. SORRY IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE "KIN" TO HER TRISHA....I WOULDN'T ADVERTISE IT.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I think I posted earlier and it was deleted, why I don't know...but here goes again...

"Maybe when she gets to Tutwiler, Debra Bracewell will be her roomie!"

I don't see where that should be any more offensive than some other comments...come on ASN!

Posted by bob (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Trisha 9, We don't have to Judge Sherrie Phillips. The Courts have said "NO" to her. Do you not believe in the Ten Commandants, one of which says "Thou shalt not Steal" , and the LAWS of the State of Alabama ??? Show your total love for her by repaying SOME of what she has stolen from the unfortunate people of Covington County.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hahah! rutherfords_1 the last sentence in your post was funny.

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We may lead boring lives, but one thing is for sure , we dont go out and steal from the dead, go shopping for new Cadillac Escalade's or go around handing out money by the handfuls to needy relatives just to make our days more lively!
And we dont get sentenced to time in prison either!:)

Posted by sonnybubbajunebugjohnson (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Trisha9, you call people hypocrits and say they must have boring lives?? what the hell are you doing in here reading it in the first place, are you filling us with your wisdom and thinking it makes you a better person? Sherrie was tried and convicted by a jury of her peers, now she will face her punishment. All anyone in here has done is state their opinion, last i knew thats part of our freedom, noone has slandered or lied about sherrie so get over it and go back to your boring life. If you want to feel better about yourself go out and help sherrie be prepared for prison life, im sure she would appreciate a harmonica or a few cartons of smokes, or maybe a butch looking t-shirt.

Posted by MsGRITS (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I sorta new in this town. I worked at an eating establishment not too long ago. (When Sherri and her husband use to show their faces around here). They served beer, some of the beer drinkers wanted Styrofoam cups when she came in to eat.. I had no idea who she was. Now I wonder if they all had known she was a thief would they have asked for it? With the illegal dismissal of her assistant because of the "garnishment' and the stolen money, ALL of her cases should be under review. You don't just turn into a thief at her age, she is possibly a seasoned professional. Like they say, you must have done this a few times to get caught, this ain't your first rodeo. With the Judge Charles Price retaining jurisdiction, I doubt very seriously she does much over a year....... I bet when she gets out she moves away from here like a coward instead of facing the music... Mark my word.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

MsGrits, I don't know why anyone would hide their beer from Sherrie/husband? Her husband drinks beer so that shouldn't have been a problem. Beer is legal, stealing is not. Judge Charles Price should NOT even have been the Judge, because of conflic ie her Teacher. How do we know he didn't teach her more than the Law?

Posted by ccresident09 (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My sweetest thought of Sherrie in jail is 'maybe she'll be someone else's girlfriend now'! That's a sweet picture. She may not be so tough in there, even if she only serves a short period of time. It's still not fair for her to still have stolen wealth when she does get out though. There should be multiple investigations, because I can promise you that there are other victims of her theft.
Happy Halloween Sherrie!
I think you should choose, vertical stripes-horizontal makes you look 'fat' and orange just makes you look funny.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My husband and I discussed Sherrie's situation. Maybe while she is waiting to go to the big house for her date with Big Betty she could do some community service. Lets say she starts at the courthouse. She could clean the toilets, scrub the floors and wash the windows. Only during regular hours so those she snubbed and looked down on, not to mention stole from, would have a chance to see her doing something productive for others.

Let's not forget all of the restaurant workers she looked down her nose at and treated as if they were her and her buddies personal slaves. Fat free, huh Sherrie?? Put her to doing the menial tasks of scrubbing in those establishments so she can see the other side. Just don't let her near the food. Won't be any for customers left.

Trick or Treat Sherrie! No candy for you this Halloween.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its only the beginning of the end. Remember to Vote in 2010

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Betty Hahah! Oh that was funny SouthernAttitude1.

Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is Big Betty and why can't she drink beer in public?

Posted by pre_girl (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see trisha9 has an attitude!!! ba hahaha....I bet ya'll are behind her 100%. Oh yeah, did ya'll get paid as well with some of that estate money? Behind her 100%.....lmao

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Sherrie was a very insecure person. I know of a case where she made a ruling on an individual being incompetent. Which means they are not allowed to make any decisions, wills, etc. After being declared incompetent a "friend" took him to an attorney and he drew up a will, which was not valid since he had been declared incompetent. The friends lawyer brow beat Sherrie so bad she ruled against her own ruling and let the will stand. How stupid is that? Another case I know of, a man was left a house and a little land in a will. When he went to Sherrie he was told it had all been sold to pay for the nursing home the man was put in. Funny thing was no one else in the will lost any of there funds, land, etc. just this one individual.

Posted by GodsWordWillSaveYou (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, some of you posters are no better than Mrs. Phillips! Your comments prove that. You are all in need of prayer, guidence and forgivness.

I hope Mrs. Phillips takes this time to find peace with God. The God that will forgive her and take her into heaven with him if she is sincere. He will do that for all of you.

No one is better than anyone. We should never condem others for what they have done. We should pray and hope they turn their lives around and become victorious. If you care about your society you will hope for that. If you just 'get off' on seeing others in this situation then you are in trouble yourselves. Sweep around your own back doors before sweeping at others back doors ;-) Let's all come together and hope people that get involved with this stuff will turn their lives around and use their past to help others.

Gods word will save you.

I will be praying for some of you posters as well as the parties involved with this case. It is sad to me that we have such people in our own community who love to condem others instead of trying to better them. Sad......

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GODSWORDWILLSAVEYOU: You are soooo right Gods word will save you. Quote: THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. JUDGE NOT LEAST YE BE JUDGED. YOU, my dear are no better than ME.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope more people will come forward with the problems Sherrie and OTHER'S have caused them IN THE PAST and hopefully the Fed's will investigate prior complaint's. Have a nice day GWWSY.

Posted by aufan83 (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not think justice has been served. I think that she should serve all 10 yrs that was previously set. If i had commited this crime I wouldnt be let off this easy and i also think she should not be able to collect her retirement after commiting this crime. Our judicial system is corrupt in itself.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Shamrock, Big Betty is Big Bubba's sister. Every jail has one. I hope Sherrie gets all that is coming to her. At least she won't have to steal it in jail.

lookeyhere, I can't hold a candle tou you. You make me and my husband laugh on a daily basis. Thanks for injecting the humor.

He who laughs last, laughs loudest. Hey, I can qoute, too!

godswordwill save you, get over it, Sherrie is a proven thief.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love the comments...yall keep em coming! Sherrie, I hope and Big Betty get real comfy cozy with one another....lol....you might need a warm body to snuggle with the cooler weather coming in...I dont' know how warm the jail cells are or how much bedding you are afforded, but maybe you can get some flannel stripes! One week and counting...next Sunday is YOUR day!

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

7 day's and counting...............

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sherrie's time is so short she could parachute off a dime.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

5day's to go......... times a running..........

Posted by aufan83 (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the funny thing is we all want to see her to get whats coming to her but im willing to put money on it that her worthless sorry good for nothing butt will be out within a year if she even serves time at all. i think we need to go back to the way it use to be, you got caught stealing cattle you were killed...if we would start having public hangings at the court square where all could see then crime would drop tremindously. im sorry if i offended anyone but im tired of people who are too sorry to make something for themselves steal from others and kill people get off so lightly. go to a muslim country and steal and see what happens

Posted by pathenley (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Today (to night at mid-night)is when Sherrie is suppose to check in lock up... I was sort of suprised when I read she would be with the others-- because there was "no where else" to put her---- .WHY would she need to be placed in another part of the jail? ?????

Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)

(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:



advanced search

© 2010 The Andalusia Star News All rights reserved.
A Boone Newspapers Inc. publication.

Contact us | Privacy Policy