Sentencing for Price man delayed so man can seek a kidneyPublished: January 9, 2008
UTAH -- Sentencing for a Price man accused of trying to seek sexual contact with a minor has been postponed to give the man a chance to seek a donor match for a kidney transplant.
Lucas Eugene Thomas, 25, appeared in U.S. District Court to be sentenced for coercion and enticement of a minor for illegal sexual activity. Prosecutors say Thomas had several Internet chats with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl but who turned out to be a federal law enforcement officer.
Although scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, Thomas' attorney and the federal prosecutor on the case, both appealed to the court to postpone sentencing to give Thomas a chance to find a kidney donor.
Thomas' family told the court that seven of his siblings were currently being tested to see if they are a donor match but it could take several months to determine. If unsuccessful, Thomas would be put on a donor waiting list.
U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart, recognizing the urgency of the situation, postponed sentencing until April 21, noting that if Thomas is sentenced to federal prison, the Federal Bureau of Prisons also has an organ donor list program for inmates.
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