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NEILLSVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR MAIL THEFTS
Monday, March 7th, 2005 -- 2:50 pm
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
A 20-year-old Neillsville man will be going to prison for 2-years on charges related to a rash of mailbox thefts last June.
According to the criminal complaint against Timothy Riley, he and two accomplices stole over 300 pieces of mail in the Loyal, Granton, Neillsville and the Hatfield areas last June. They were looking for money, but only found around $17.50.
Originally facing over 50 charges related to the theft and unauthorized opening of letters, Riley reached a plea agreement in December where he pleaded guilty to 5 misdemeanors and 1 felony associated with the thefts; he also pleaded guilty to a separate charge related to the sexual assault of a child.
At his sentencing on Friday afternoon, Riley addressed Judge Jon Counsell by reading a statement. He said the mail thefts were more a “prank” than a crime, but he realized it wasn’t funny. He said he wanted the chance to raise his 3-month-old child and had looked into attending college.
His wife - who was the victim of the sexual assault - and his mother spoke on his behalf.
But Judge Counsell dismissed Riley’s assertion that the incident was a prank. In handing down the sentence, which includes 2-years prison, 2 years extended supervision and five-years probation, Counsell said a message needed to be sent that this behavior wouldn’t be tolerated. He noted the defendant’s extensive criminal record, which included breaking into the Highground in search of drug money.
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