GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A former Mesa County elections manager who prosecutors said assisted in a security breach of voting equipment was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days in jail.
Sandra Brown, 45, pleaded guilty in November to attempting to influence a public servant, a felony, and official misconduct, a misdemeanor. She will be required to testify against former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters at her trial in October as part of the plea agreement.
The above video aired in November 2022
Brown has already served two days of her jail sentence and has until noon Friday to report to finish out her 30-day sentence. She was also ordered to serve two years of unsupervised probation and complete 100 hours of community service.
She was granted a deferred judgment for the felony charge with the same conditions as her probation but must also pay a $2,000 fine. Upon completion, the felony charge will be dismissed from her record. If she fails to comply with the conditions she would be re-sentenced for the felony charge which could result in probation or prison time.
Brown is one of two employees accused of helping Peters allow a copy of a hard drive to be made during an update of election equipment in 2021 in search of proof of former President Donald Trump's false conspiracy theories on the 2020 election.
Peters' chief deputy, Belinda Knisley, pleaded guilty in August under a deal that required her to also testify against Peters. She only pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts and was immediately sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation.
Peters is charged with three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, criminal impersonation, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, one count of identity theft, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of state. She pleaded not guilty.
This article draws from previous reporting by The Associated Press.
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