The News-Courier in Athens, Alabama

April 29, 2009

East Ala. city councilman pleads to felony


LAFAYETTE, Ala. (AP) — A LaFayette city council member is expected to resign from office after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife.

Toney Ben Thomas, who was serving his second term, entered the plea agreement Tuesday in a Chambers County courtroom. He was arrested in Aug. 2008.

Thomas had also been indicted by a special grand jury on ten felonies that included rape, sodomy, kidnapping, domestic violence and assault. Chambers County District Attorney Paul Jones said the charges involved three different victims.

In exchange for a guilty plea, Thomas was sentenced to 10 years probation.