Groping a stranger at the Kingman Walmart brings a two-year prison term for James Powell. The 33-year-old Kingman man was sentenced March 18 by Mohave County Court Commissioner Billy Sipe.
It will be Powell’s fifth trip to prison.
Defense attorney Nathan Best said Powell suffers mental health and drug abuse issues that can better be treated if he is on probation. “There must be something we can do other than keep sentencing Mr. Powell to prison over and over again,” Best said.
Judge Sipe rejected Best’s probation request. In addition to an extensive juvenile criminal history, Judge Sipe noted that Powell’s adult convictions include kidnapping, drug lab involvement and theft.
Powell pleaded guilty to sexual abuse for fondling a pregnant 28-year-old woman in the automotive section of Walmart last September. The victim told police that Powell apologized when she confronted him.
Judge Sipe noted concerns that Powell is considered a high risk to offend again. He ordered that Powell must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
– Dave Hawkins
