Here is the story from today's Texas Lawyer:

Former Williamson County Judge Tim Wright was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling firearms without a license and making a false statement to a federal agent.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks of Austin also ordered on Aug. 14 that Wright pay a $15,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for three years after he exits prison.

Wright pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of making a false statement to government agents on May 28. He later surrendered both his bench and his law license. Both charges are felonies that could have each brought up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. [See " Judge to Resign After Firearms Charge Guilty Plea," Texas Lawyer, June 2, 2015.]

On Sept. 23, 2014, ATF agents discovered that Wright had bought more than 80 guns in a span of several months. They interviewed him, and Wright said he sold firearms at gun shows. The ATF told him that he needed a federal firearms license to sell more guns. He agreed to stop selling until he had a license.

The two people who bought guns from Wright were illegally smuggling firearms into Mexico. Mexican law enforcement recovered two guns with serial numbers that Wright had purchased and sold to the two buyers in July 2014. Wright also sold guns illegally to an ATF undercover informant whom Wright knew was a convicted felon.

"While sworn to uphold the law, Judge Timothy Wright repeatedly violated federal laws governing the sale of firearms. He sold dozens of firearms without license, many of which went to people smuggling them to Mexico. He falsified official firearms records to hide the true identity of the real buyer and then lied to federal investigators about his crimes. These are serious crimes for which he has been held accountable," said Richard Durbin, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas.

After his guilty plea in May, a contrite Wright apologized.

"No one is above the law, especially not judges. I sincerely apologize to my family, friends and the people of Williamson County for any discredit and embarrassment that I may have created as a result of my actions," Wright said.

While the government pressed Sparks to sentence Wright to 60 months in prison, Wright's lawyers argued that their 70-year-old client should be sentenced to house arrest. Wright has a host of medical problems—he had polio as child and has permanent vertigo.

"It's tarnish on the system when a judge violates the rules, but there were a lot of mitigating circumstances in this case," said Joe Turner, an Austin solo who represents Wright. Wright's family believed that Sparks imposed a fair sentence on the former judge, he said.

"I don't think I've ever had a case where I've had so many judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and even defendants who wrote letters about how caring and fair he was as a judge," Turner said of Wright. Wright started Williamson County's DWI program and Veterans Courts and helped countless defendants maintain their sobriety—aspects of Wright's career that Sparks took into account during sentencing, Turner said.

"The gun violations were serious, and we had to take that into account—and the fact that he was a judge didn't help him," Turner said.

"I asked him to judge Tim Wright as he'd judged others—with understanding and kindness," Turner said of Sparks. "And he did."

It is with great sadness to tell you our Donna Muir Yates died this morning with a heart attack. Darla Williams Morrison  was called by one of her sons. There will be a memorial service. Details are being made. I will post as soon as I get the information. Donna and I have been friends since the 8th grade. Darla and I were invited to her birthday party given by her sons last year. It was a wonderful time spent with her. Darla and I have been talking about going to see her again and  did not make. DO NOT ever put off seeing your  friends.....it may be too late. I am overwhelmed with sorrow!!!!!