Man, 29, sentenced in sex case

A Ramona man who pleaded guilty to having unlawful sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl has been sentenced to one year in custody and may serve it in a work furlough facility.

Jeremy Richard Turney, 29, was placed on three years probation by El Cajon Superior Court Judge Patricia Cookson on Jan. 26, but she said she doubted that Turney had a job that would qualify him to enter a work furlough facility. She recommended that he be screened for it to see if he’s eligible.

Turney’s attorney asked for an extension on the screening in a hearing set for Feb. 8. However, attorney William Wolf later canceled that hearing, and the prosecutor did not know if Turney has been accepted into a work furlough program.

If accepted, Turney would be free to work days and then be locked up at nights and on weekends for up to a year. He has to have a job that qualifies him to do it. The probation department will have to approve it.

Turney was ordered to have no contact with the girl or her mother. He must also abstain from alcohol for three years and pay $1,127 in probation costs. Cookson imposed an $800 fine.

Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle asked the judge to send him to jail and not the work furlough program. Wolf asked for any custody to be in the program.

The incident with the girl occurred on June 26, 2009. A week earlier Turney pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving and was placed on five years probation with a fine of $1,952, according to court records. The misdemeanor offense occurred on May 3, 2009.

Turney’s probation was revoked in August, but on Jan. 26 Cookson reinstated him on probation. He received a concurrent sentence with the sex case. Records say Turney did complete a Mothers Against Drunk Driving course, as required.