Two Consecutive Life Sentences Upheld Against Former Sheriff
In September 2010, following an eight-day jury trial, former Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin was convicted of 15 criminal counts concerning the distribution of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and attempting to have two witnesses killed. In January 2011, he was sentenced to two life sentences, plus 10 years to be served consecutively in federal prison.
Mr. Martin appealed the sentences to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that the sentence was unreasonable. In August 2012, the court affirmed the convictions, but vacated the sentences due to a sentencing guidelines calculation error. The case was remanded back to the district court for resentencing.
While awaiting resentencing, Mr. Martin allegedly was caught in possession of, and attempting to smuggle, prescription medications into the Williamson County Jail, where he was being held pending his resentencing. Evidently, his crime spree was not yet complete.
With the new information at hand concerning the attempted smuggling and possession of prescription medications, a new sentence was imposed in conjunction with the remand from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Martin was again sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment, plus an additional consecutive term of 10 years in prison. He was further ordered to forfeit $76,090 and his residence.
