Final Corbin chop shop suspect gets leniency from judge

The last of six defendants accused of conspiring to organize and operate a motor vehicle "chop shop" in Laurel County in 2008-09 was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court by Judge Amul Thapar.

Bennie Lee King, 37, was sentenced to 34 months in prison, along with the maximum three years of supervised release. King must also pay $3,500 in full restitution to "R.L", a victim in the case.

Thapar assured King that he was being lenient and originally was going to hand down a much harsher sentence, but thought that King was on the right track with getting his life together.

Thapar also made it clear that if King did not change, and was once again in front of the court that he would be punished to the full extent of the law.

"I scratched out 63 months, but I always save my notes," Thapar told King. "They will see that I took a chance on you. It’s like money in the bank you can blow. Your choices have real consequences."

In August 2010, King pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting interstate transport of a stolen motor vehicle. According the indictment, on May 11, 2009, King transported a stolen tractor-trailer from Tennessee back into Knox County.

Under the federal system, when a defendant accepts a plea agreement, it contains a recommended sentence. However, the judge is not bound by that recommendation. In addition, the defendant is informed prior to entering the plea, that if the judge hands down a sentence beyond the recommended sentence, the defendant may not use that as grounds to withdraw the guilty plea.

King’s attorney, Andrew M. Stephens, told the courts that upon the conversation he had with the defendant Monday morning, he could see that King understood the life he was leading was not beneficial and was ready for a change.

"He looked me in the eye and said ‘They finally beat me.’" Stephens told Thapar. "I honestly believe he finally gets it."
At first Thapar was hesitant to believe any such comments about King.

"He may feel that way today," Thapar told Stephens. "But if I kept record of all the people who "get it" when they are here it would not be a good one."

But when motioned for his personal comments by Thapar, King asked for a second chance.

"I can’t sit here and make excuses all day for what I’ve done," he said. "I’ve seen this time and it isn’t what I want to do. I want to enjoy what time I may have left with my wife, daughter and sister. This time I didn’t just hurt me I hurt my family.

"Give me a chance to prove myself. No one else has ever done that. This life isn’t working out."

King was originally charged with one count of conspiring to own, operate and maintain a chop shop, one count of aiding and abetting in the operation of a chop shop, five counts of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines and two counts of possession with intent to sell a stolen motor vehicle part. But as part of the plea agreement eight of the nine charges were dismissed.

King was given a 34-month sentence but has already served 20 months, which will be credited toward his time. In the federal court system inmates do not have opportunity for early parole.

In addition to the typical conditions of release for inmates, Thapar handed down specific ones for King. Upon release King must seek drug and alcohol treatment, may not consume alcohol, cannot open up any new lines of credit, will be susceptible to vehicle searches by his probation officer and must provide his probation officer with a detailed list of any and all prescription medications given to King by a doctor.