Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Sockwell sentenced to 33 years

Jim Sockwell, 44, of Prescott, will be spending the next 33 years of his life in prison.

He was convicted of delivery of a controlled substance by a jury of his peers in late May. According to Joe Graham, deputy prosecuting attorney for Nevada County, Sockwell was charged as a habitual offender. The possible sentence was 10 years to life.

According to court records, a special agent with the Arkansas State Polices criminal division, met with Sockwell on Nov. 13, 2003. The agent gave Sockwell $20 to make a buy of crack cocaine with, and the suspect returned with the drugs. The transaction was captured on videotape.

The agent involved has spent the last three-and-a-half years working with the ASPs narcotics division, and has 15 years of law enforcement experience.

After Sockwell made the buy, he was arrested and charged with delivery of a controlled substance. In Arkansas this constitutes a class Y felony, punishable by a sentence of 10-40 years or life in prison. It also carries a fine up to $25,000. Crack cocaine is considered a schedule II controlled substance.

Graham said Sockwell testified before the jury during the penalty phase, admitting he had a drug problem, apologizing and saying he needs help. I think this is why the jury was as lenient as it was with the sentencing.

The indications were he didnt use or make a profit off the drugs he bought for the undercover officer.