The first of three former
Baisden, 66, of Delbarton, pleaded guilty last October to extortion. He used his position as purchasing agent for the county commission to pressure Appalachian Tire Company to give him the same reduced price on tires on his personal vehicle that the company gave to the county for its vehicles. Baisden threatened to take the county’s business elsewhere unless the company complied.
Appalachian Tire did not and Baisden did take the business to another company. At least one of Baisden’s threats was left on a company answering machine.
Baisden faces 24 to 30 months in prison under the federal sentencing guidelines. He’ll be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver.
Baisden has also been mentioned in the case involving former Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury and former county prosecutor Michael Sparks who told Delbarton sign maker George White to switch attorneys and they would give him a better deal on a drug charge. White was talking with federal investigators about the alleged drug habits of former Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum.
Thornsbury and
