A young man who shoplifted from Kohl’s twice within 10 days in June will spend his 21st birthday in jail — and many more birthdays, the judge told him, if he doesn’t change his ways.
The thefts at Kohl’s occurred while Matthew A. True, 20, was free on bail after having been charged with other offenses, Assistant District Attorney Frayla Schoenfeld told Justice Daniel Billings on Thursday in Kennebec County Superior Court. Among the crimes True was sentenced for was criminal trespass and theft at the Gardiner Public Library and several local businesses.
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Schoenfeld said True removed the packaging from a Nintendo system and fled from Kohl’s on June 24 with employees following him. One of those workers had recognized True from surveillance video from June 14, when a camera and headphones were stolen.
True, of Augusta and formerly of Arrowsic, jumped over a guardrail and fled down an embankment toward Interstate 95. He was captured by Augusta police within an hour.
True was sentenced to three years in jail, with all but nine months suspended, and two years’ probation. He also was ordered to pay $2,299.97 restitution to Kohl’s and restitution to other places where he admitted having committed burglaries, thefts, criminal mischief and criminal trespass between August 2013 and June 2014.
Among the crimes True pleaded guilty to were stealing a safe, cash and checks from the Gardiner Public Library on July 27, 2013.
True turns 21 on Aug. 17.
“You need to change your pattern of behavior or you’ll celebrate many, many more birthdays incarcerated,” Billings told him.
A number of other people were sentenced this week in separate proceedings in Kennebec County Superior Court:
• Patrick A. Beaulieu, 24, of Sidney, operating under the influence Feb. 10 in Windsor; 10-day jail sentence to be served in the alternative sentencing program, $500 fine, 90-day license suspension.
• Michael E. Bumford, 37, of Augusta, four counts of violating conditions of release, two counts of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and one count each of refusing to submit to arrest or detention Oct. 31, 2013-June 6, 2014, in Augusta and Randolph; six-month jail sentence, $400 fine.
• Sammiya Butts, 25, of Bronx, N.Y., trafficking in scheduled drugs June 19-Oct. 31, 2013, in Waterville; five-year prison sentence, all but one year suspended, two years’ probation.
• Daniel Cash Jr., 37, of Augusta, violating condition of release June 10 in Augusta; two-year jail sentence all suspended, two years’ probation, consecutive to another sentence.
• Marvin P. Charette, 57, of Augusta, disorderly conduct, loud noise, private place May 10 in Augusta; two-day jail sentence, credit for time served.
• Scott Cogswell, 46, of Waterville, unlawful possession of oxycodone Oct. 10, 2013, in Waterville; four-year jail sentence, all but 50 days suspended, two years’ probation.
• James L. Haskell Jr., 38, of Gardiner, failure to comply with sex offender registry act March 14-May 8 in Gardiner; jail sentence of nine months and one day.
• Milton E. Libby, 20, of West Gardiner, failure to stop for an officer Feb. 21, 2013, in Gardiner; 10-day jail sentence, credit for time served.
• Ronald A. Moody II, 34, of Skowhegan, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Oct. 4, 2013; three-year jail sentence, all but 90 days suspended, two years’ probation, $4,500 restitution.
• Scott S. Shepherd, 50, of Augusta, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer April 21 and unlawful possession of heroin April 24, all in Augusta; three-year jail sentence, all suspended, two years’ probation, $400 fine, consecutive to a nine-month probation violation.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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