A former Guadalupe County Judge has pleaded guilty to a charge of marijuana possession, but the judge has a chance to get the verdict off his record.
Former Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins entered the guilty plea last week, saying he was glad the ordeal is over. He was placed on six month deferred adjudication for the Class B Misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.
"If he successfully completes it, he will not be found guilty and the case will be effectively dismissed," said defense attorney Shane Phelps. "But the fact that he was on deferred remains a part of his record."
Wiggins was in College Station last February for a conference with county officials from across the state and was arrested after someone in the hotel reported the smell of marijuana. Phelps said Wiggins considered going to trial on a necessity defense.
"He just found himself in a desperate circumstance," said Phelps. "That is, that he suffers from diabetes and suffered from neuropathy -- nerve damage in his legs -- that he struggled with for years trying to find ways to fight the pain that would sometimes keep him up for days on end."
Wiggins also must pay a $1,000 dollar fine and perform 40 hours of community service. He served as a state trooper before becoming Guadalupe County’s judge, where he served for five years before the arrest. The county appointed an interim county judge until Larry Jones was elected in November.
Phelps said even though the guilty plea is likely to be reduced, Wiggins has expressed that he no longer has a desire for public service.
