Attorneys want probation, but Betras wants prison for man who threatened him

YOUNGSTOWN

Public defenders for a man who mailed extortion letters to Atty. David Betras and threatened to damage or destroy his law office with an explosive want a federal judge to impose probation with home confinement rather than a prison term.

The U.S. Probation Office, however, has calculated a guideline sentencing range of 78 to 97 months in prison for Charles J. Reighard, 68, of Burghill, who pleaded guilty as charged to mailing the letters and making the explosive threat.

Saying he and his family fear Reighard, Betras said he wants Reighard to go to prison, but Betras didn’t specify how long the prison term should be.

“I know when he’s locked up, he’s not going to be able to lash out at me,” said Betras, adding that he will make a victim-impact statement at the sentencing hearing.

Betras is also Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman.

U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi in Akron is scheduled to sentence Reighard at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Cleveland.

Read more about the arguments in the case in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.