Former Page County Sheriff Daniel Presgraves (right) was sentenced to 19 months in prison today for racketeering. One of his attorneys, Chuck James, enters the federal courthouse with Presgraves earlier today. Photo by Michael Reilly / DN-R

HARRISONBURG — A federal judge sentenced former Page County Sheriff Daniel Presgraves to 19 months in prison during a hearing today in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg.

Presgraves faced up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal racketeering charge in August. Presgraves pleaded guilty in exchange for prosecutors dismissing 21 charges that ranged from violating the civil rights of women employees to bribery and money laundering.

Presgraves’ recommended sentencing guidelines called for 27 to 33 months in prison.

U.S. District Court Judge Glen Conrad said Presgraves had suffered enough by losing his job and career in law enforcement, and the shorter prison term would serve the same purpose as one that met or exceeded sentencing guidelines.

See tomorrow's Daily News-Record for more details.

Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com