Former Perry County Commonwealth's Attorney receives 54-month sentence

The former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Perry County has been sentenced to 4-and-a-half years in federal prison for trading favors for methamphetamine and sex. Scott Blair’s hearing took place Thursday in U.S. District Court in London. Justin Begley, a staff writer for the Hazard Herald who was in the courtroom for the sentencing, said there were 62 letters of support for Blair from community members.

“The judge spoke about how unusual that was, that that was not an everyday occurrence, that he sits in these sentencings regularly, and you don't find 62 letters accompanying a defendant very often.”

Begley said letters from Blair’s victims were also read before the sentencing and the judge expressed another opinion about the letters supporting Blair.

“The judge said that he believes that is the case because they don't understand this other side of him, or they don't – they did not understand the extensive nature of some of the crimes that he committed here.”

Begley said the judge acknowledged that as soon as Blair was arrested, he confessed, resigned his office and took responsibility for his actions. Blair’s attorney said his client was addicted to meth and struggled with long-term depression.

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