Former Greenville Councilman Tony Trout To Reports To Federal Prison

Tony Trout was sentenced to one year and one day in prison back in July. Trout reported to federal prison in West Viriginia Tuesday.

The federal judge denied his appeal bond September 1. Trout told News Channel 7 he wanted to stay out of federal prison until his appeal is finished to be there for his family.

The judge said he believes Trout is a danger to society because federal investigators say trout tried to buy an assault rifle silencer.

Trout said he is ready to go and start to serve his sentence in 21 days.

The judge is very upset about the letters from Tony and the clerk of court.  He says this isn’t political. That he has a lifetime appointment.

The former Greenville County Councilman - who was convicted for spying on employee’s computers - is back to court Tuesday.

Tony Trout tried to stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction. Trout was sentenced to one year and one day in prison back in July.

In a letter to a federal judge Trout writes in an August 14 letter to Judge Henry F. Floyd that “I am begging you to allow me to stay out of jail until they rule on my appeal.“

Theresa Kizer, Clerk to Coucil for Greenville County Council, also wrote Judge Floyd following Trout’s conviction. In a July 21 letter, Kizer states “thanks to the Federal Prosecutor’s efforts, the ‘bully’ has finally had his wings clipped. Don’t feel sorry for Tony Trout….only have pity for his family.“ 

Trout was found guilty on April 22 on charges of unlawful access to computers, distribution of information and intercepting emails. He was found not guilty of destroying evidence.

Trout hired a new attorney in August. J. Falkner Wilkes filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Henry Floyd to allow Trout to stay out of prison while his conviction is appealed.

Trout told News Channel 7 in August that he also intends to show that there is a question of law surrounding the prosecutor’s assertions that Trout had no legal authority to conduct investigations as a county councilman.

Trout goes on to say that he does not regret doing what he did; that it was his right as a councilmember to look into what other council members were doing for “the good of the citizens I represented”.