Tony Linwood Martin Jr. will spend at least 16 months in prison for bilking a 75-year-old woman out of $161,000.

A Halifax County jury this afternoon found the Roanoke Rapids interior decorator guilty of exploiting elder trust and obtaining property by false pretense. The jury rendered its verdict shortly after 1 p.m. The verdict came soon after jurors examined checks Martin wrote the victim on a closed account, purportedly to serve as IOUs for the money he borrowed from Faye Pierce. He only paid $2,000 back.

“It’s justice for the family,” said Wanda Cooke, Pierce’s daughter. “We’re thankful for the prosecution, law enforcement and jury giving my mother justice. We want to make sure the citizens of Roanoke Rapids are protected from him.”

Halifax County District Assistant District Attorney Amy Broughton asked visiting Superior Court Judge J.C. Cole to sentence Martin on the high end for the exploiting elder trust verdict and a probationary sentence following the active sentence for the obtaining property by false pretense verdict.

Martin’s defense attorney, Kanter Searcy Morris, asked for only one sentence. “He’s a native of Roanoke Rapids, he’s married and has three children, I would ask for probation since he only has one prior.”

Cooke was allowed to speak about the sentencing. “I feel like he deserves an active sentence for what he put my family through. My family was put through unnecessary things because of Mr. Martin.”

Before giving the sentence, Judge Cole said, “In society there are two vulnerable classes — children and the elderly. I believe the court has to do all they can to make sure they are protected.”

Cole sentenced Martin to 16 to 20 months in prison and ordered him to pay the cost of court. He entered a civil judgment against Martin for the $159,000 he still owes Pierce.

He ordered Martin to pay $4,500 for the 75 hours of work Morris put in the case.

With Martin standing, Cole said, “You can’t be punished enough for what you did to this lady.”

Johnny Jones, foreman of the jury, said only, “We weighed all the evidence and reached a unanimous decision.”

Morris said the case was extremely emotional. “I’m pleased the jury examined the evidence in this matter. This is the reason we have this process.”

Broughton was pleased with outcome and was especially grateful for the jury and their service.