Congressman-elect’s son gets 10 years in drug case

BENTONVILLE — James Phillip Womack, the son of Rogers mayor and U.S. Rep.-elect Steve Womack, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to deliver drugs, but his incarceration may be shortened if he is accepted into a boot camp program.

James Womack, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, a Class A felony punishable by a prison sentence of six to 30 years. He was originally charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a Class Y felony, but agreed to plead guilty under an agreement attorney Shane Wilkinson reached with chief deputy prosecutor Stuart Cearley.

Cearley told Circuit Judge David Clinger the younger Womack was involved in a drug deal involving 6 grams of methamphetamine.

Police recorded a $600 drug transaction between James Womack and a confidential informant, according to a probable-cause affidavit.

Cearley told Clinger the plea agreement was an appropriate and fair resolution to the case because of the younger Womack’s lack of criminal history.

According to Wilkinson, his client was ready to accept responsibility for his actions. “He’s always been willing to accept responsibility,” Wilkinson said. “He’s doing that today.”

Clinger accepted the plea agreement and Womack’s guilty plea.

Womack’s sentence came with a recommendation for him to participate in a boot camp program. According to the state Department of Correction’s website, the boot camp is a 105-day, military style program for nonviolent first offenders. Womack also was ordered to pay $2,145 in court costs.

Clinger said he did not mind making the boot camp recommendation since it is a standard recommendation in some cases.

Womack must serve at least one-sixth of the 10-year sentence if he is not accepted into boot camp. Clinger ordered Womack to participate in the prison’s drug-treatment program if he is not accepted into boot camp.

“He’s a good kid who made a mistake,” Wilkinson said after the plea. “He comes from a great family who has never made any excuses for him.”

Steve Womack and his wife, Terri, released a joint statement after the sentencing.

“This has been a burden our family has carried for more than a year, and we respect the decision of the court,” the Womacks wrote. “Phillip made a terrible mistake and is accountable for his actions. He has disappointed a lot of people, including himself. We love our son and stand behind him as he works to put this behind him.

“Those families that have encountered issues with their children know the pain we’ve endured throughout all of this. We ask for your continued prayers and understanding.”