AUGUSTA — An Augusta man who pleaded guilty a year ago to theft was sentenced Monday in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Donald R. Shields Jr., 65, of Augusta, had been accused of defrauding four people by taking their money after promising to get them commercial loans, then failing to deliver. He was sentenced to a two-year jail sentence, all but nine months suspended, and one year of probation after being convicted of one count of theft by misapplication of property which occurred between 2004 and 2006.

He also paid $10,200 as restitution.

Three related counts of theft by deception were dismissed.

Shields was convicted of five counts of aggravated forgery in Lincoln County in 1999. He served more than a year in federal prison for committing two counts of mail fraud before that.

Three other people were sentenced Monday in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:

* Timothy R. McFarland, 23, of Manchester, two counts each of burglary and theft by unauthorized taking March 6 in Augusta; three-year jail sentence, all but 90 days suspended, two years’ probation, $1,164 restitution.

* Barry Third, 48, of Clinton, possession of firearm by a prohibited person Oct. 30, 2010, in Clinton; 30-day jail sentence, $1,000 fine.

* Lawrence C. Tracy, 33, of Randolph, operating after habitual-offender revocation June 13 in Randolph; 90-day jail sentence, $1,000 fine.

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