Black sect leader is granted delay in sentencing

Atlanta Journal-Constitution May 30, 2003

Eatonton -- A religious leader who admitted molesting 13 children was granted a two-week continuance Wednesday, one day before being sentenced.

Dwight York, leader of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, a mostly black sect based in Putnam County, pleaded guilty to multiple child molestation charges and signed a plea agreement that would send him to prison for 15 years.

York's attorney, Ed Garland, would not comment on the continuance, and U.S. Attorney Max Wood declined to comment.

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright said if there is a problem with the federal plea agreement, a state plea will still stand unless York decides to withdraw the plea agreement.

Under York's plea agreement, he will serve 15 years in federal prison on the federal charges, with 14 years on the state charges running concurrently. The state sentence requires him to spend an additional 36 years on probation as a sex offender.