THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702220295
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 26 lines
A Coast Guard petty officer has been sentenced to 16 to 20 months in prison for taking indecent liberties with a minor.
John Wesson Drake, 37, of Elizabeth City, faced up to 59 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the felony, which occurred in January 1995.
He was sentenced Thursday in Pasquotank County Superior Court.
Drake was indicted by a grand jury in November 1995. After being released on bond, Drake was restricted to the Coast Guard base in Elizabeth City, where he worked at the Support Center command, and was allowed off base only under a security officer escort.
After the victim moved to another state, he was allowed to return to his Edgewood community home.
As part of a plea agreement, Drake will not be federally prosecuted for alleged similar criminal activity.
Drake also agreed to voluntarily leave the Coast Guard.
KEYWORDS: SEX CRIME PLEA AGREEMENT SENTENCING