FARMINGTON – A Newport man received a partially-suspended, 5-year sentence in Franklin County Superior Court Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to the theft of firearms from a Salem-area home in November 2014.
David Ireland, 53, of Newport, pleaded guilty to theft by unauthorized taking, a Class B felony. As part of the arranged sentence, Ireland was sentenced to 5 years in prison, with all but 30 days suspended. He will be on probation for 2 years upon his release, with conditions to include no use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs and the payment of $9,210 in restitution to the named victim in the case.
Two other felony counts, burglary and aggravated furnishing of a schedule drug, were dismissed as part of the arranged plea.
Ireland was charged last year following a Maine State Police investigation into a break-in at a Salem Road residence. The homeowner reported the theft of 11 guns, including handguns, shotguns and rifles, as well as ammunition and other items. Newport Police later received a tip that Ireland had pawned one of the stolen guns at a local pawnshop. That gun was recovered.
A juvenile suspect was also charged. That 17-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges this summer. Those pleas were made as part of a 1-year deferred disposition agreement that will result in either the opportunity to plead to lesser charges or an open sentence on those felonies.
The restitution was ordered to be paid “joint and several,” meaning Ireland and the juvenile are both responsible if the victim is not fully reimbursed. The $9,210 relates to 10 of the stolen firearms, which were not recovered.
30 days in jail out of 5 years. Ain’t that something! You can bet the Maine State Police that did the investigation are not too pleased with that sentence for all their hard work. AIN’T THAT SOMETHING!!!