Fountain man placed on tether for weapons convictions

Arthur Warner Tyra, Jr., at left, with his attorney, Douglas Stevenson.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old Fountain man was ordered to a seven-month tether term during a one-year discretionary jail sentence for two counts of receiving and concealing firearms and fourth-offense habitual offender Tuesday, July 7, in 51st Circuit Court.

Arthur Warner Tyra, Jr., who is free on 10 percent of a $25,000 bond, was arrested last February by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

Due to his cooperation in testifying against co-defendants Joshua and Stephanie Joynes and his poor health, Tyra was not ordered to serve any jail time up front. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said Tyra was “helpful in securing their convictions. A prison sentence would be counterproductive due to his assistance in the case,” said Spaniola, who recommended jail time.

“Mr. Tyra has been very helpful with the testimony in those cases,” said Tyra’s defense attorney, Douglas Stevenson. “He understands he is in a serious situation here.”

Stevenson described his client as suffering from “some serious medical issues including COPD,” and that his “medication list is quite lengthy.”

“I ask the court not to give any up-front jail time due to his medical issues,” Stevenson said to Judge Susan Sniegowski.

The judge, who noted Tyra’s cooperation in Joynes’ cases, also ordered that he serve 18 months probation and pay $12,155 in restitution that is joint and several with the Joyneses. A condition of his probation is that he is not to have a weapon of any kind in his possession or be in the company of anyone who does.

Sentencing guidelines were seven to 46 months.