ASHLAND, Ky. -

Two Lawrence County men will go to prison for their parts in a money order scheme uncovered last summer by federal authorities.

John F. Wright, of Kitts Hill, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Ashland, Ky., Monday to 9 months in prison.

Ronald Patrick, of South Point, was sentenced to 3 months in prison. Both men were taken into federal custody to begin serving their sentences immediately.

Wright and Patrick were arrested in Ashland Ky., in September 2003 by local and federal agents in connection with the theft of blank money orders from the Kitts Hill Post Office earlier in the year. Both men pleaded guilty in November 2003 to

the unauthorized dispensing of blank money order forms.

A third man, Christopher Cremeans, also of South Point, was later added to the indictment. He has also pleaded guilty to the same charges in connection with the case.

At the time they entered their guilty pleas, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Murphy said that while Patrick had the potential for probation, Wright did not since he has a lengthy criminal history.

Wright also faces three trials in Boyd and Carter counties in Kentucky on various assault and theft charges.