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Man gets prison time in crime spree

Theft, mischief cases in 2015

The second of two men responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in a theft and crime spree was sentenced Thursday.

Eric Klein, 21, of Jefferson Township acknowledged responsibility in eight criminal cases in Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson and Penn townships in March and April 2015.

Among the victims were a bike trail, a public park and a horse boarding facility.

Klein, who pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal mischief, theft and conspiracy, will spend 72 months in the county’s intermediate punishment program.

During the first four months of the program, he will be in the county prison. For the eight months after his release, Klein would be on house arrest with electronic monitoring. For the remainder of the program, Klein will be on probation.

The defendant, who has no previous criminal record, expressed remorse in the court room, calling his actions, “immature and stupid.”

Klein’s defense attorney Mike Pawk said his client has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and already has been in counseling “with a good prognosis.”

Klein’s co-defendant, 19-year-old Austin Edward Miller, on May 2 was sentenced to serve 11½ to 23 months in jail for his role which included another four cases.

Butler County Judge William Shaffer sentenced both men, who are responsible for paying back about $30,000 to the victims.

Klein, in court, said he is employed as a landscaper.

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