01-19-2007, 05:01 PM
Judge's son gets 5 years in prison for burglaries
State declines to file a related burglary charge against the father.
By MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA
michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com
BRADENTON -- The son of Manatee County Judge George K. Brown Jr. was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for a burglary spree last year in which thousands of dollars in jewelry, video games and other property was reported stolen.
The judge's son, Paul R. Brown, 33, a convicted felon who served a two-year prison stint several years ago, pleaded no contest Thursday to burglary and theft charges connected to the crime spree.
Brown, who family members said had a drug abuse problem, is required to live in residential substance-abuse treatment facility when he is released. He must serve five years of probation.
Brown is forbidden to drink alcohol or do drugs during his probation.
"Understand that?" asked Charlotte County-based Circuit Judge William Blackwell, who was chosen to preside over the Brown case.
"Yes, your honor," said Brown, shackled at his wrists and feet and wearing jail clothing.
Manatee County sheriff's deputies arrested Brown in late July on burglary charges after a string of break-ins in northwest Bradenton.
Detectives said Brown broke into a home in the 8900 block of 21st Avenue Northwest that belongs to professional golfer Paul Azinger.
A witness told authorities that he saw Brown taking a boat motor and a gas can from Azinger's house.
But one burglary charge drew more attention than the others.
Detectives said Judge Brown was waiting in his Lexus while his son got out and allegedly broke into a house in the 500 block of 63rd Avenue West.
The judge drove off when the person living in the apartment confronted him and his son, saying he was calling the authorities.
State prosecutor Debra Bell said in court Thursday that the state would not file a burglary charge against Paul Brown in that case.
"Based on the facts and circumstances we felt it was not a good case for prosecution and there was no credible evidence implicating the judge," Bell said after the hearing.
Judge Brown transferred from the criminal division to the civil division in August as his son's case remained pending in court. The judge has since returned to the criminal bench.
Last modified: January 19. 2007 5:19AM
State declines to file a related burglary charge against the father.
By MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA
michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com
BRADENTON -- The son of Manatee County Judge George K. Brown Jr. was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for a burglary spree last year in which thousands of dollars in jewelry, video games and other property was reported stolen.
The judge's son, Paul R. Brown, 33, a convicted felon who served a two-year prison stint several years ago, pleaded no contest Thursday to burglary and theft charges connected to the crime spree.
Brown, who family members said had a drug abuse problem, is required to live in residential substance-abuse treatment facility when he is released. He must serve five years of probation.
Brown is forbidden to drink alcohol or do drugs during his probation.
"Understand that?" asked Charlotte County-based Circuit Judge William Blackwell, who was chosen to preside over the Brown case.
"Yes, your honor," said Brown, shackled at his wrists and feet and wearing jail clothing.
Manatee County sheriff's deputies arrested Brown in late July on burglary charges after a string of break-ins in northwest Bradenton.
Detectives said Brown broke into a home in the 8900 block of 21st Avenue Northwest that belongs to professional golfer Paul Azinger.
A witness told authorities that he saw Brown taking a boat motor and a gas can from Azinger's house.
But one burglary charge drew more attention than the others.
Detectives said Judge Brown was waiting in his Lexus while his son got out and allegedly broke into a house in the 500 block of 63rd Avenue West.
The judge drove off when the person living in the apartment confronted him and his son, saying he was calling the authorities.
State prosecutor Debra Bell said in court Thursday that the state would not file a burglary charge against Paul Brown in that case.
"Based on the facts and circumstances we felt it was not a good case for prosecution and there was no credible evidence implicating the judge," Bell said after the hearing.
Judge Brown transferred from the criminal division to the civil division in August as his son's case remained pending in court. The judge has since returned to the criminal bench.
Last modified: January 19. 2007 5:19AM