A Quincy man was sentenced to two years probation Thursday for recording a conversation with a psychologist and posting it on his online blog.

Sean Heeger, 39, was also sentenced to 120 days in the Adams County Jail, but the jail time was stayed by Judge William Mays pending a status review in December. Heeger pleaded guilty in July to the Class 4 felony of eavesdropping and said he recorded the court-ordered session with Dr. Frank Froman "in self-defense." He spent 67 days in jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest in June and he turned himself in to authorities.

Heeger also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violating an order of protection. Court records show Judge Thomas Ortbal approved the order of protection late last year against Heeger and also ordered him to see Froman "for the character assassination dressed up as a psychological evaluation," Heeger wrote on his blog.

First Assistant State's Attorney Gary Farha said Heeger should get probation, despite the Adams County Probation Department recommending he wasn't an appropriate candidate and instead be sentenced to the Department of Corrections.

"This is a case that cries out for monitoring because of a number of people that Mr. Heeger has touched," Farha said. "Mr. Froman was impacted by this in a very serious manner ... No one is allowed to record a conversation without their permission. It's against the law."

Farha said Heeger was a bright man with a good mind.

"If he could deal with the mental health aspects of his life, he could be a very productive member of our society," Farha said.

Heeger called Froman "corrupt" and complained that the pre-sentence investigation compiled by the probation department was "all hearsay."

Mays warned Heeger it was not a good idea to continue blogging, though he said he would not order Heeger to stop writing on his blog.

"People will interpret it the way they want," the judge told Heeger.

He also suggested Heeger get a mental health evaluation from a professional he trusted, perhaps not in Quincy, and be put on medication if necessary.

Heeger said he would not appeal the sentence. A computer and other items seized by police will be returned to him next week.

-- rhart@whig.com/221-3370