Former State Representative Will Dismukes was sentenced on Monday, July 17, on theft charges. The Prattville Republican was convicted on a first-degree theft of property charge. The jury also found Dismukes guilty of two aggravating factors which would have allowed Judge Brooke Reid to sentence the former lawmaker to prison. Instead, Reid showed mercy to the non-violent, first-time offender and sentenced Dismukes to five years of community corrections and two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $43,691.75 in restitution.
Dismukes expressed his gratitude that he could spend Monday night at home with his wife and family rather than in jail but steadfastly maintained his innocence. Judge Reid chastised him for not taking any responsibility.
Dismukes’ sentencing was scheduled for May 4 but was moved to July 17 after Dismukes’ father committed suicide after his son’s conviction.
Dismukes was found guilty by a Montgomery County jury of stealing thousands of dollars from his former employer, Weiss Commercial Flooring. The jury found Dismukes guilty of working for Weiss and then taking money, tools, and materials belonging to Weiss to start his own custom flooring company – before his political career. None of the charges against Dismukes were related to public corruption or his tenure representing House District 88 in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Dismukes was a pastor and businessman in Prattville when he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018.
Dismukes ran for re-election in 2022 despite being indicted for the theft charges. He lost the Republican primary to Jerry Starnes 62 to 38%. Starnes subsequently won the general election. Had Dismukes been currently serving in the Legislature, the felony conviction would have created a vacancy.
Dismukes two sisters asked the court not to consider their father’s suicide as grounds for showing leniency to the younger Dismukes. They blame Will for the suicide of their father. The two had had words earlier that day because the elder Dismukes testified against Will during his trial.
Will Dismukes’ officiating at a Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forest birthday celebration in Selma while he was a state legislator drew state and national headlines. He had to resign his position as pastor of a Prattville Church over criticism of that incident.
If Dismukes fails to live up to the terms of his probation, he will be sent to prison to begin serving his 20-year sentence – the maximum sentence under Alabama law for this offense.
Dismukes expressed confidence that the conviction will be overturned on appeal to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
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