Former UNITE counselor takes plea deal for five-year prison term

Rather than stand trial, a former UNITE employee pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to charges alleging that in 2006, he pretended to be a police officer and took a gun onto Whitley County school property.

Timothy James Moses, 38, of Williamsburg, pleaded guilty to impersonating a peace officer and unlawful possession of a weapon on school property.

In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors recommended a 60-month or five year prison sentence. Prosecutors agreed to take no position on probation during Moses formal sentencing, which is set for Jan. 11 before Circuit Judge Paul Braden.
In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss two counts of first-degree unlawful imprisonment and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment against Moses.

"I think it is appropriate for what he did," said Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble. "He had no prior felony record. Obviously, this conduct was unusual for him.

"The defense raised the question about it being caused by a reaction to some medicine that he had recently started taking, but regardless the reason for it, it was a serious matter and it scarred some kids. We felt the resolution was appropriate."

District Judge Cathy Prewitt dismissed a related alcohol intoxication charge against Moses during court proceedings Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred about 9 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2006, in the parking lot of the Whitley County school system’s central campus during a football game, and involved Moses and several Whitley County students.

Then KSP Detective Colan Harrell said Moses allegedly had a .40 caliber Glock handgun that he brandished while on the campus under the pretense that he was a police officer.

At the time of the incident, Moses was a drug counselor for UNITE, but later resigned.