CLINTON —
A man charged with stealing approximately $2,200 in items from Walmart will spend as much as five years in prison.
Lance R. Richart, 42, pleaded guilty on Sept. 27 to filling up shopping carts and pushing them out of Walmart. Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Myers explained that the charge was initially third-degree theft. However, after it was discovered that additional items were taken on more than one instance, the charge was raised to second-degree theft, a class D felony.
Defense attorney Whitney Petersen asked that Judge Thomas Reidel consider a suspended sentence. She told the court Thursday that her client regrets what he has done and is addressing mental health issues through treatment. Richart agreed that what he did was wrong and that he should be punished.
“But I feel a prison sentence would not help my situation,” Richart said.
Reidel, however, did not agree. He said that looking at the pre-sentencing investigation report, he sees a man with a very poor criminal history, referencing a few of Richart’s previous burglary and forgery charges.
“You have a long history of crimes and theft and dishonesty,” Reidel said.
Reidel told Richart he was concerned by what can be done in the community to help him. He also was worried by the fact that despite five public intoxication charges in the past year, the defendant did not think he had a substance abuse problem. Reidel said that due to these factors, he felt incarceration is appropriate in this case.
Richart was taken into custody and will be transfered into the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections, where he will serve no more than five years. A fine of $750 was suspended. Richart is required to provide a DNA sample, pay court costs and assessments and pay restitution in the amount of $2,234.69 to Walmart.
Clinton
November 2, 2012
Clinton man sentenced on theft charge
- Clinton
-
-
Man charged after knife incident
CLINTON -- A bar fight on Saturday escalated with one man returning with a knife. Ricardo Hernandez, 48, 441 Sixth Ave. South, apartment five, is charged with going armed with intent, carrying weapons and public intoxication. Clinton police responde
-
Skin cancer screening is set for Saturday
CLINTON — A free skin cancer screening will be held this weekend in Clinton.
-
Waterlogged: Covering the stadium bills recommended
CLINTON — The city of Clinton is considering covering more than $10,000 in bills relating to water damage at Ashford University Field.
-
City looks at upping waste service fees
CLINTON -- Clinton residents could soon pay $1.39 more for their solid waste services monthly as city officials find ways to shore up the solid waste fund.
- Some not wild about hogs CLINTON -- No decision has been made on a proposal for a hog confinement operation in rural Clinton County. This facility would be located approximately 7 miles southeast of Elwood and 5 to 6 miles northwest of Welton. The Clinton County Board of Sup
-
Prospect Avenue questions to be answered
CLINTON — The city of Clinton will host a public meeting regarding Prospect Avenue construction Wednesday at Clinton City Hall. The public information meeting will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council chambers at Clinton City Hall. The
- Union Pacific routes money back into community CLINTON -- Five Clinton-area non-profit organizations were awarded grants from the Union Pacific Foundation on Monday. Big Brother Big Sisters, the Friends of the Clinton Public Library, Mercy Medical Center, the River City Municipal Band and the Un
-
Captain, crew thankful for Clinton's hospitality
CLINTON -- After a fun-filled weekend, the Nina and Pinta have packed up and shipped out to their next location on the Mississippi River. Clinton residents welcomed the ships with warm hospitality Thursday and made the crew feel right at home through
- Head out on the highway CLINTON -- Around 400 Harley riders will cruise into Clinton this weekend as the city hosts the Harley Owners Group 2013 state rally. From Thursday through Saturday, Clinton will be filled with bikers from across the state who will take part in var
-
There's something about Mary for former CHS standout Douglas
Former Clinton High School basketball standout Devan Douglas will continue his basketball career at the University of Mary in North Dakota after two years at Kirkwood Community College.
- More Clinton Headlines
-
