Courts

A 36-year-old Fries man who defied a federal court in December has gotten his family members in trouble with the law, too.
Jonathan Reed Stiltner failed to appear for his sentencing in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, N.C., and U.S. Marshals almost caught up with him in a search at a home in Carroll County days later.
But, Stiltner slipped away while — as federal authorities allege — his wife told marshals she didn't know where he was.

HILLSVILLE — In signing the final settlement with bankrupt AmerLink, some Carroll County officials wanted to celebrate with confetti, but none sounded more excited than the county attorney.
AmerLink, in an economic development deal with Carroll, was supposed to create 200 jobs, but went down in bankruptcy after building a model home sales center and half a sawmill in the county.

INDEPENDENCE — A judge has ruled that Fred Lee Sweet of Galax, convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, is entitled to a mental evaluation.
Sweet was convicted during his trial in June 2010. A jury of eight women and four men deliberated about three hours before finding Sweet, 68, guilty of both charges.
The offenses involved a girl who was five years old at the time.
The jury recommended a sentence of five years in prison and a $20,000 fine on one charge and seven years in prison and a $30,000 fine on the second charge.

Editor’s Note: This information is taken from open court records and is a matter of public record.  The listings are complete. The newspaper, as a matter of fairness, will not honor requests to omit any listing.  
For information on this column or questions, call 236-5178, ext. 213.

District Court

These sentences were recorded in October in the Carroll County General District Court Office, Hillsville. Sentences may be appealed: