Royce Toney sentenced in Monroe - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The judge's ruling is in and former Ouachita Parish Sheriff Royce Toney will not serve jail time. Former Ouachita Parish Sheriff Royce Toney received his sentence in federal court Tuesday. But before the punishment was announced..the ex-sheriff was allowed to give a final statement.

Toney gave a tearful apology in front of the judge before his sentencing, he apologized to his wife, the public, and the court. "Well we just wanted to thank all of the people that have supported me over the years, we appreciate their support" said Toney.

As for Toney's punishment? Six months of home detention wearing an electronic monitoring device, four years of supervised probation and a fine of 15-thousand dollars.

After the sentence was given, Toney seemed in high spirits. "I'm tickled its all over, ready to get on with the rest of my life" said Toney.

Satisfied with the sentence, Toney's attorney Michael R. Davis says they will not appeal. "We don't have a disagreement with what the judge said or what the judge ruled" said Davis.

In the courtroom Davis questioned if Toney could spend his house arrest in his Arkansas vacation home. A probation officer stated that would defeat the purpose. But Davis says the details of the home confinement are still pending, "We will find out soon" said Davis.

The sentencing ends a federal investigation, beginning in early 2011, when Toney was accused of major conspiracy, computer fraud, identity theft, obstruction and mail fraud.

But an August plea deal, left Toney with only nine misdemeanor counts of computer fraud and in exchange prosecutors dropped felony charges. Now Toney says he just wants to move on, "We're just ready to get on with our lives and enjoy retirement."

As part of his plea deal, Toney has agreed to never work in law enforcement again.