Former Pierce County sheriff seeks to clear record

Published 2:09 pm Thursday, May 19, 2011

TACOMA — Retired Pierce County Sheriff Mark French, who was convicted of possessing child pornography, will ask a judge Friday to erase the felony from his record and restore his right to possess firearms.

The News Tribune reports state law allows some offenders who meet conditions of their sentence to regain their gun rights and to have their sentence vacated. French’s lawyer says he qualifies.

The 62-year-old French pleaded guilty in 2004 to possessing child pornography. He had retired in 2000 after a 30-year career in law enforcement.