Former Calimesa councilman sentenced to state prison

By Mike Cruz / Staff Writer
on April 10, 2009 5:01 PM

Former Calimesa City Council member Jon Winningham was sentenced Friday to two years in state prison for violating his probation, a charge stemming from his child pornography conviction in 2007.

The 53-year-old Winningham was sentenced in Riverside Superior Court. He is required to surrender to authorities April 17 to begin his sentence.

Winningham, who served 12 years on the council, was arrested Sept. 22 on suspicion of violating the terms of his probation by using the Internet to arrange a hotel meeting with a man. Judge James T. Warren said he was particularly dismayed that Winningham had used a library computer.

A judge ruled in 2007 that Winningham could not use a computer after he pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of intent to distribute child pornography and three misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornography.