ROANOKE, Va. – Former Roanoke City Councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr. has been sentenced to more than two years behind bars.
In March, Jeffrey was found guilty of embezzlement after he allegedly used funds meant to help him manage Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization (NNEO) to pay for personal expenses.
“He has frankly created messes. Legal and otherwise and as far as the court is concerned has accepted absolutely no responsibility,” said Roanoke City Circuit Judge David Carson during Jeffrey’s sentencing.
On Monday, Jeffrey Jr. was sentenced to two years and six months. He was also ordered to pay $216,000 in restitution.
Jeffrey Jr. was taken into custody on Monday. His attorney has already filed an appeal and has asked for Jeffrey Jr. to be released on bond, which the judge denied.
“I told my client last week, that it’s my view so far that the judge revoking his bond, the commonwealth objecting to his bail, that he would be receiving an active period of incarceration,” said Melvin Hill, Jeffrey’s defense attorney.
10 News spoke with Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Sheri Mason about the case and her request for the judge to deny Jeffrey bond.
“Our view is that he is a financial predator. If he is out and finds a weak individual or some hole that he can wiggle through he is going to take people’s money,” said Mason.