A former Nickerson man was sentenced Monday afternoon by Judge Tim Chambers to 72-months in prison.
31-year-old Zachary Lawson is one of three men charged in the case from 2011 involving the kidnapping and beating of Larry McVey. He was found “guilty” of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated battery, criminal threat, possession of methamphetamine, criminal use of a weapon by a drug user, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of anabolic steroids. He was found “not guilty” of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary and aggravated intimidation of a witness.
He along with Jeremia Palmer, and Jedrik Smith were arrested for the kidnapping and beating of McVey who reported the incident back in the early morning hours of September 8, 2011.
The state wanted consecutive sentencing for a total of 109-months in prion. The defense had sought community corrections, intensive drug treatment and GPS monitoring for Lawson. Judge Chambers went down the middle denying the corrections, but also sentencing Lawson to much less time in prison then what the state wanted. Judge Chambers stated that he believes that Lawson’s addiction to methamphetamine was a factor, but says he needs to protect the community and show that if you commit these types of criminal acts, you’ll face serious consequences.
The two co-defendants, Palmer and Smith have already been sentenced in this case. Palmer was given a total of 78-months in prison, for this case and two others. Smith was sentenced to 196-months for two cases against him including this case.