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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Former Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. was sentenced Tuesday morning to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion in February.

The sentence also includes two years of supervised release following his prison term. Restitution will be determined at a later date, with payments of at least 10% of his gross monthly income.

Ford resigned from the commission nearly a year after his arrest. He was accused of depositing more than $250,000 from three nonprofits into an account for his computer business. Those nonprofits received funds from the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council, with Ford either sponsoring or voting for those grants.

Outpouring of support

A number of supporters were in the courtroom for Ford, including Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley, former County Commissioner Janiya Swearengen and his parents.

The judge said he received 46 letters of support Monday and another eight Tuesday morning, for a total of 54.

 Impressive,  the judge said, adding he had not had a case with so many letters of support.

The judge left the bench at 9:42 a.m. to read them and returned at 10:09 a.m., saying he had started reading them before court Tuesday morning.

Around a dozen people sat in the courtroom in support of Ford.

Several letter writers stood at the podium to identify themselves, including David Odell - whose wife is Shelby County District 1 Commissioner Charlie Caswell - Pastor Melvin Watkins, Circuit Court Clerk Jamita Swearengen and Councilman JB Smiley.

Ford's attorney asked the judge for more time to determine final restitution. The judge agreed.

Judge weighs acceptance of responsibility

 I've thought about acceptance and responsibility a lot with this case,  the judge said.

He noted Ford's resignation letter  did not mention a guilty plea ... required in plea agreement. 

 He called out his colleagues ... struck me as bold and arrogant,  the judge said.

 I'm going to give him credit for acceptance and responsibility,  the judge added, saying he c

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