BREAKING NEWS
GNN is following breaking news out of Lincoln County in Damoign, where jurors in the former delegate Dave Helgin case have agreed on a sentence for the convicted sex-offender.
Former Remmington Delegate Dave Helgin (NAT), who was convicted of various crimes last week by the same jury, was today sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
Helgin was charged with numerous counts of having sex with a minor, indecent liberties, transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to commit a crime, misuse of office, and obstruction of justice. He was convicted on several of those counts. He could have faced a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
In its decision, the jury, made up of 6 women and 6 men, said that Helgin should not face the maximum sentence for several reasons, but most importantly because Melody McMahon, the woman he had sex with, who at the time was a minor but is now 19, consented. Helgin, now age 48, was 46 years old at the time of the affair. Against her family's wishes, McMahon asked the jury to use restraint in their verdict and sentencing.
"Please remember that I was a willing participant, and it was a mutual relationship. Please take that into consideration when you make the decision. It's not entirely his fault," she said during court testimony.
The jury responded by saying in a statement,"We cannot give Mr. Helgin the maximum sentence in this case because the other participant in these activities consented to sexual intercourse. However, we have concluded that Mr. Helgin did use his position of power, authority, and influence, both as a high-ranking public official and as an employment supervisor, to threaten Ms. McMahon and pressure her into engaging in activities she wanted no part in. And we conclude furthermore that Mr. Helgin misused his office, clearly violated interstate laws, and was not truthful with investigators during the initial stages of the case."
"As a result, we feel a sentence of three years and six months is sufficient in this case. Mr. Helgin will be held in a medium-security prison facility, at the Judge's discretion."
Immediately after the sentence was read, Mr. Helgin was visibly upset. His legal team spoke with GNN after the court proceedings.
"We're disappointed, but we realize this could have been much worse," Dave Darangelo, Helgin's attorney said.
The prosecution team, which included federal attorneys from both Remmington and Damoign, the two states where the crimes occurred, said the jury was "brave to stand up to a high-powered politician."
"The jury showed Mr. Helgin and any others like him that might consider committing such crimes in the future that political status has no bearing on the outcome of a case. No one is above the law. You're political connections can't save you from the consequences of your own actions," Robert Delerno, one of the attorneys told GCAM-TV News afterwards.
The McMahon family had little to say about the sentence.
"We're very grateful this entire ordeal is over," said William McCabry, an attorney for the family.
Reaction on Capitol Hill was split. Most of Helgin's colleagues had no comment.
Majority Leader Dlg. Joan Fhonda (C-DES) told the GBC, "it's a sad day when a member of Congress is convicted and sentenced in a criminal courtroom."
A spokesman for Minority Leader Dlg. Shay Robertson (N-DMG) said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Delegate Helgin and his family through this troubling time. We are also praying for healing for both the McMahon family and the people of Remmington."
Yesterday, the House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly to censure the former Remmington nationalist. Members from both parties joined in a 49-6 vote in favor of censuring him out of the Body. The six delegates who voted against the measure included nationalists Brian Brookes and Barry Moore, both of Ceona; Grace Kemp of Trinton, Kory Brown and Debbie Madronas of Damoign; and conservative Robert Hannity of Monomi.
Helgin's attorneys declined to say if they will appeal the sentencing.
The McMahon family has also launched a civil suit against the former delegate for an undisclosed amount of money.
Neither side had any comments on that case.
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