Monticello — Former Wayne County Clerk Melissa Turpin appeared before Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard, Jr. on Tuesday, November 17 for formal sentencing on two counts of abuse of a public trust over $10,000 and two counts of theft by unlawful taking over $300.

Miniard sentenced Turpin to 10 years each on the charges of abuse of a public trust over $10,000 and five years each on the charges of theft by unlawful taking over $300. The sentences run concurrent for a total of 10 years.

Under a plea agreement with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, Turpin will serve a total of 180 days‹60 days in the Wayne County Detention Center and 120 days on home incarceration. Turpin began serving her 60 day jail sentence on October 22, and was near the mid-point of the term when she appeared in court last week.

The balance of the 10 years will be probated.

Turpin will also be required to make restitution, according to the plea agreement. Restitution of $64,986 to the Wayne County Clerk's Office has already been made. It was required to be paid by Friday, November 20 and the payment was made, according to court officials.

Turpin will also be required to pay $75,000 in restitution to Great American Insurance Company, which originally provided her surety bond. She will begin making $300 a month payments to Great American Insurance Company 60 days after her home incarceration is completed, according to the plea agreement.

Turpin was indicted in August on the charges, which stem from a deficit of $139,986 in the clerk's office over a two year audit period. After entering a guilty plea in Wayne Circuit Court on October 20, Turpin resigned from office.