Eric Klein

One of two men accused of causing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage in a theft and vandalism spree pleaded guilty Tuesday in Butler County Court.

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

In exchange for his guilty pleas to multiple counts of criminal mischief, theft and conspiracy, the county district attorney’s office will recommend that Klein later be sentenced to 72 months in the county’s intermediate punishment program.

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

For the remaining five years, Klein would be on probation.

Immediately following Klein’s plea, Assistant District Attorney Patricia McLean said she did not know how much restitution Klein would be responsible for.

However, the amount of stolen and damaged goods is extensive, including multiple trucks, car parts, ATV tools and landscaping equipment.

During the same time period, Klein and his co-defendant, 19-year-old Austin E. Miller of Middlesex Township also allegedly damaged a bike trail, a public park and a horse boarding facility.

In court Tuesday, Klein’s attorney Michael Pawk of Butler said his client has a job, but it’s seasonal and that Klein presently is laid off.

Klein will be sentenced May 2 by Butler County Judge William Shaffer.

Miller still faces charges in these cases as well as five additional allegations.