A former Morgantown pharmacist, who is about to serve more than 10 years in prison for federal convictions, had a sentencing hearing for taking out a loan in his wife’s name delayed Wednesday.
Judge Phillip Gaujot continued the sentencing hearing of Scott Tingler, 41, because his attorney Jason Wingfield did not receive a victim impact statement and was unable to review it before the hearing.
According to West Virginia code, victim impact statements should be distributed to the parties 10 days prior to a sentencing. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Fitz said the report was faxed on Feb. 19, but there was no cover sheet showing it was faxed on that date.
“I believe that in this case, the court should consider the victim impact statement,” Gaujot said.
In this case, Tingler pleaded guilty to taking out a $16,000 loan in his ex-wife’s name. The victim impact statement in question is hers.
Wingfield asked Gaujot to give Tingler an alternative sentence, such as home confinement or probation, if he thinks there’s need for a consecutive sentence after his federal one, or for a prison sentence on this charge to run concurrent with the federal one.
Tingler reports to USP Hazelton on Monday to start serving 10 years and one month, a sentence given to him by U.S. District Judge Irene Keely in January. Tingler pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice and one count of false tax return.
“Mostly, I want to apologize to Amy,” Tingler said, referring to his ex-wife, while speaking before the court.
Tingler said he knew his actions were wrong and he just wanted to be a good person, but somewhere along the way, his wires got crossed. He said he accepted responsibility for his actions and put himself in the position he’s in.
He owned Bruceton Pharmacy in Bruceton Mills and American RX Pharmacy inside the Venture Drive Price Cutter in Morgantown and also owns Core Holdings, DB Construction and Tingler Rental Properties.
The sentencing is rescheduled for April.
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Morgantown Area News
'Sunday, November 17, 2024'
