Sentencing date set for Nuwaubian leader

Athens Banner-Herald/February 28, 2004

Sentencing has been set for March 26 for Dwight ''Malachi'' York, the leader of the quasi-religious Nuwaubian Nation of Moors sect, who was convicted of molesting children at the group's compound and an Athens mansion.

York was convicted Jan. 23 on multiple counts of child molestation and racketeering in Brunswick, where the U.S. District Court trial was moved because of pretrial publicity.

York's lawyer, Adrian Patrick, said he would fight for the shortest sentence possible. He said he also is working on an appeal, which won't be able to be argued until after sentencing.

Prosecutors have said York, 58, will likely get between 20 and 30 years in prison.

York still faces 77 state charges of child molestation, to which he pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement a year ago. Patrick has said his client plans to withdraw those pleas.