Sparta Man Guilty of Wiretapping Woman's Phone

A part-time bail bondsman from Sparta faces prison time and thousands of dollars in fines for wiretapping a Springfield woman's telephone.

On Wednesday, a federal grand jury found 54-year-old Richard Hugh guilty of intercepting telephone communications without permission.

Police say Hugh placed the phone tap on the victim's phone line in December 2005 while trying to get information leading to the whereabouts of a Lawrence County fugitive.

Under federal statutes, Hugh could spend up to five years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.