Man gets jail sentence for stealing electronics

Published 9:26 am Thursday, November 17, 2011

 

A South Point man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a six-count theft indictment in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Justin D. Hildreth, 20, of 317 Township Road 935, admitted to Judge D. Scott Bowling he took cameras, coins, GPS systems, laptop computers and other items from six victims at different times in April. The total value of the stolen goods exceeded $10,000.

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Bowling sentenced Hildreth to six months in jail but suspended approximately 115 days and then placed him on four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP).

He further ordered Hildreth to successfully complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center and make restitution to his victims.

“He admits he has a substance abuse problems and wants to get help,” his attorney, Mike Gleichauf, told Bowling.

Franklin L. Norris, 50, of 1113 S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to seven counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (oxycodone). He will be sentenced Jan. 11 following a pre-sentence investigation.

Wilburn L. Pauley, 48, of 653 County Road 15, South Point, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering. In exchange for the guilty plea to that charge, one count of theft from an elderly person was dismissed. Bowling sentenced Pauley to four years CCS/ISP and ordered him to stay away from his victim.

Jessica Singleton, 21, of 2055 County Road 53, Kitts Hill, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of theft. Bowling sentenced her to four years CCS/ISP and ordered her to successfully complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center. She must also pay $3,822.56 restitution to her victim, the Coal Grove Speedway.

“I am sorry,” Singleton told Bowling. “I do want to pay that money back. I’m sorry. I’m not a bad person.”

Her attorney, Warren Morford, said Singleton has no prior criminal record. At the time she took the money she was under the influence of pain pills and was in a bad relationship; this led her to steal from her former employer.

Carl Holston, 44, of 404 ½ S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering. In exchange for this guilty plea, charges of tampering with evidence and resisting arrest were dismissed. Bowling sentenced Holston to 12 months in prison.

“He has admitted his involvement in this caper,” his attorney, Warren Morford said. “He’s willing to take his punishment.”