LAKE COUNTY — On Friday Judge Arthur H. Mann sentenced Richard Williams to four years and eight months in state prison for charges of grand theft, failing to appear and contracting without a license. He was also ordered to pay four victims more than $20,000 in restitution.
Williams was scheduled to appear for sentencing on the first case on April 27, 2009 when he failed to appear and Judge Mann issued a no-bail warrant. The Lake County District Attorney”s Office filed an additional felony case for failing to appear while out on bail with a special allegation that he committed that crime while he was released on bail in a felony. Thanks to the investigators at the Contractor”s State Licensing Board, Oklahoma Law Enforcement and bail bondsman Rob Brown the defendant was apprehended in Oklahoma and was eventually extradited back to Lake County to face charges in July. On Aug. 27, Williams entered pleas of no contest to a felony charge of failing to appear with the special allegation and a misdemeanor count of contracting without a license.
Once Williams was re-apprehended in July he was represented by Attorney Katherine Elliott of Ukiah. The People were represented by Senior Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson. The original case was investigated by investigators from the Contractor”s State Licensing Board, Karen Nicley and Stuart Rind.
The subsequent two cases were a joint effort with the Contractor”s State Licensing Board Investigator and the District Attorney Investigations Bureau.
