A Lelia Lake man was sentenced to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice last Thursday for his involvement with a kidnapping last summer.
James Michael Brinkley pled guilty to the first degree felony of aggravated kidnapping before 100th Judicial District Judge Stewart Messer in Clarendon in accordance with an agreement with the district attorney’s office.
“The Donley County Sheriff’s Office, the Amarillo Police Department, and Texas Ranger Alvin Schmidt did an excellent job in investigating this case.” said Luke Inman, the 100th Judicial District Attorney.
Brinkley was one of three people arrested in July 2008 in connection with the kidnapping of a McLean man in Amarillo. The man was bound and put in a van and was later being driven through Clarendon when the suspects stopped at Lowe’s Family Center. There the victim managed to get loose, make his way into the store, and seek help.
An investigation soon located the suspects’ vehicle at a residence on County Road 19 near Lelia Lake. Brinkley was placed under arrest there, and two other suspects were subsequently arrested in the case.
“This is the type of individual who needs to spend time in the penitentiary.” Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said last week. “I’m pleased with the plea that went through on this case.”
Brinkley was arrested in Donley County on July 28, 2008, and indicted on November 10, 2008, on two felony counts, aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Brinkley is required to pay a $1,000 fine and $700 in court costs to the county.
This case was set for trial on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. However, pursuant to the plea agreement, Brinkley waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to the first degree aggravated kidnapping offense. The second degree sexual assault was dismissed by the State pursuant to the plea.
Also, according to statements made in court last week, the state agreed not to pursue charges related to this case against Brinkley’s wife.
“This was a very serious felony case that occurred in this District, and this office put a lot of thought and planning into preparing for this trial.” said Inman. “I think today’s plea was a culmination of great investigative work and trial preparation which made this plea possible.”
The DA also praised the sheriff’s office for its work in the case.
“Sheriff [Butch] Blackburn and his staff do a great job in crime scene investigation and provided this office with ample evidence to go forward with a jury trial on this serious offense if it was necessary,” he said.
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