Two More Down...

Two more of the CyberNET inner circle have joined President Jim Horton by pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate as government witnesses against the remaining potential CyberNET conspirators.

This morning, Jonathan Mast took time out from selling cars to come into the federal court and plead guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Money laundering. The single felony count Barton's long-time VP of Sales pleaded to carries the potential of a mere five years maximum prison term, compared to Horton's pleas to four counts, one of which has a maximum penalty of thirty years. Mast's charge can be seen here. Mast quit CyberNET a few months before it all blew up, after twelve years and two ruined marriages. It appears that it was not soon enough.

Poor Dave Roepke, who was expected to settle for a measly $25,000 of the millions that Horton tried to stash in the days after the CyberNET raid, has also agreed to plead guilty next tuesday to a single count of money laundering. A much more serious charge than mere conspiracy, Roepke faces the possibility of a twenty year maximum sentence. Roepke's charge can be seen here.

With three co-conspirators now convicted and having agreed to testify, the noose is tightening for the remaining targets of the investigation: Krista and Paul "The Butler" Wright. There is even a small chance that the U.S. Attorney's Office might seek to indict Barton's aged, infirm, and emotionally devastated mother Geraldine -- although if they do someone in that office should get their head examined. She has been in a prison of her own making for many years, and since her son Barton's suicide, in her own tormented solitary confinement of the mind. Nothing the federal government can do would punish her more than she must punish herself every day.

As with Horton, Mast and Roepke will be sentenced later. Although they will get brownie points for "accepting responsibility" and pleading guilty, their ultimate sentences will depend as well on the extent of their "cooperation" against the remaining targets. There will be retribution. Justice is more difficult to achieve.