Brown County Precinct 1 Commissioner Steve Adams appeared in 35th District Court this morning for pre-trial matters on his third degree felony criminal indictment.

Visiting Judge Robert Moore, III heard a plea agreement between Adams, his attorney Tim Edwards, and Texas Attorney General Counsel Harry White.

Under the agreement, Adams would plead guilty to a lesser charge of third degree felony charges of theft over $20,000, under $100,000 by a Public Servant, as alleged in the Sept. 29, 2011 indictment.

Adams spoke directly to Judge Moore’s questions and frankly admitted he was guilty as alleged in the original indictment, which is actually a 2nd degree felony charge. Adams agreed to the plea bargain after the charges were reduced to a 3rd degree felony. Under the plea agreement, Steve Adams would resign as Brown County Precinct One Commissioner immediately, and be placed on 10 years deferred adjudication probation.

The judge also ruled that Steve Adams pay a $5000 fine today, and make a $26,000 restitution payment to Brown County. Judge Moore also ruled that Adams will serve fifteen days in the Brown County Jail, beginning no later than February 2, 2012.

Steve Adams was indicted September 29, 2011 on theft charges stemming from an incident from July 18, 2008 that involved using county taxpayer money to benefit himself. Adams attorney Tim Edwards said Adams would be issuing a formal statement later today. Adams was facing 2-20 years confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and up to a $10,000 fine.