According to District Attorney Summer Summerford, “Lester Thornberry was charged with Harassment in three separate cases involving minor females. A bench trial was held on March 6, 2025, in front of Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor. Judge Taylor found Thornberry guilty in all three cases and sentenced him to three months in the county jail in each case.
The sentences are to run concurrently. The sentence was ordered to be split for Thornberry to serve 30 days in jail and the remainder of the sentence to be suspended. After the 30 days are served, he will be placed on probation for a period of 24 months. Thornberry was also ordered to pay a $500.00 fine and court costs in each case. Mr. Thornberry has the right to appeal to Circuit Court for a trial by jury.
Thornberry was arrested on December 10th. The harassment charges are misdemeanors. WEIS Radio News reached out to Cherokee County School Superintendent, Mike Welsh, about the issue. He said it is Board Policy not to comment on Personnel Matters.
