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Michael Maples, 45, pleaded guilty in January to stealing federal grant money from the Southeast High School in Oklahoma City while he was principal there.
U.S. District Judge David Russell sentenced Maples on Thursday in Oklahoma City, said Bob Troester, first assistant for the U.S. Attorney in the Western Oklahoma District. Maples will also pay $32,996 in restitution to Oklahoma City Public Schools, Troester said.
Maples is accused of lying about his criminal record and military service – which ended with a conviction for conduct unbecoming an officer and dismissal – to get the job as Memorial High School’s principal. He is expected to appear in Victoria District Court on May 27 to plead to those charges.
Maples is scheduled to start his stay in federal prison in June, Troester said. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will decide where Maples serves the term, Troester said.
It’s not clear how Maples’pending case in Victoria affected his sentencing. Federal judges rely on a pre-sentencing report, which is not public record, to decide how long a defendant will serve, Troester said.
“I can’t tell you exactly what went into the judge’s decision,”Troester said. He called pre-sentencing reports “pretty comprehensive,” so it’s likely Maples’ report included information about the Victoria County charges.
The Oklahoma City Public Schools are also suing Maples in civil court.
It should be possible for Victoria prosecutors and federal prison officials to make arrangements for Maples to appear in court if he stands trial in Victoria, Troester said.
Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521 or lwilber@vicad.com.