Aaron
Brooks, 25, Bonners Ferry, entered a plea of guilty to burglary today for his
role in a break-in at a Meadow Creek Road business owned by his former employer,
Fred Seton.
March 2, 2004
Aaron
Brooks, 25, Bonners Ferry, entered a plea of guilty to burglary today for his
role in a break-in at a Meadow Creek Road business owned by his former employer,
Fred Seton.
His accomplice, Ezekial Hill, 20, also of Bonners Ferry, pled guilty to the same charge February 6.
At
about 1 a.m. November 7, 2003, Brooks and Hill broke into the business and a bus
on the Seaton property near the Twin Bridges. In a statement, Brooks said he had
been fired the day before, and he admitted to having committed the burglary in
retaliation. Stolen in the theft were two laptop computers, a digital camcorder,
three two-way radios, a CD burner and other miscellaneous computer and
electronic gear. All the stolen items were recovered.
Prosecutor Jack Douglas said he would listen to the feelings of the victim and review the pre-sentence report before determining what punishment he’ll recommend. Both men face up to 10 years in prison.
Because of the youth of the defendants and because neither man has a significant criminal record, Douglas said he’s likely to recommend retained jurisdiction, in which the men would serve a six month “rider” at a boot-camp program in Cottonwood, after which they could be eligible for probation, or a sentence of 120 days in the local jail followed by probation with conditions appropriate to the crime.
“This case was cleared up due to good cooperation from the victim, Fred Seton, and a solid investigation by former deputy sheriff Heath Gustafson,” Douglas said. “Heath got a confession and the stolen property was recovered. Because of good police work, I didn’t have to consider a reduced charge or grant more liberal terms. These cases will send the message that we take burglary seriously, and should deter these men and others from committing such crimes.”