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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Former Washington County sheriff's Sgt. Charles David Mrkvicka has been sentenced to about four months in jail for having sex with a jail inmate.
Mrkvicka, 57, pleaded guilty last month to custodial sexual relations, a third-degree felony, and a misdemeanor count of custodial sexual misconduct for his affair with an inmate at the Purgatory Correctional Facility between June and November 2005.
Fifth District Judge G. Michael Westfall sentenced him in Beaver on Wednesday to 122 days in a county jail, fined him $1,500 and put him on 36 months probation, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Defense attorney Daniel McKay said Mrkvicka's actions were an aberration in an otherwise honorable life and career.
He said Mrkvicka's romantic relationship with the inmate developed when he attempted to help her with personal problems.
Mrkvicka apologized, saying, "I can't change what I did and I accept responsibility."
Mrkvicka must report to a county jail to be selected by the state office of Adult Probation and Parole on July 3.
Sheriff's Deputy Brian Stubbs has pleaded guilty to identical charges and is to be sentenced on July 12.
Beaver County Attorney Von Christiansen, who is handling the case to avoid possible conflicts of interest for Washington County prosecutors, is still investigating a third deputy.
In all, five deputies have resigned as a result of the probe.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-06-21-06 2134MDT
