James Freed

A Butler man pleaded and was then sentenced in four cases in Butler County Court on Tuesday.

James A. Freed, 60, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft, possession of a controlled substance, summary criminal mischief and disorderly conduct before President Judge Thomas Doerr.

He was then immediately sentenced to six months probation, $20 restitution, a $100 fine and court costs.

In the first case, Freed was initially charged with misdemeanor theft, criminal attempt to commit theft, loitering and prowling at night, summary criminal mischief and public drunkenness after an incident on Sept. 13, 2015.

Butler police said Freed stole a large, red landscaping stone from a home in the 500 block of North Monroe Street, Butler, damaged a downspout and was arrested a block away.

Freed pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in that case.

He was then charged with misdemeanor simple assault after an incident on Nov. 3, 2015.

Butler police said Freed assaulted his ex-fiance during a domestic dispute at her home on Rattigan Street.

The woman told police that Freed showed up at her home and tried to push his way inside, according to court documents. He allegedly slapped the left side of her face before she managed to shut and lock the door.

Freed left before officers got there, but was arrested about 45 minutes later, police said.

The disorderly conduct charge was later added, to which he pleaded.

He was then charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance on Dec. 4, 2015. He was released on his own recognizance in that case, and later pleaded guilty to the possession charge.

In the final case, he was charged with felony burglary and theft after an incident on April 13, 2017.

Butler police said Freed broke into an apartment above the Burger Hut on North Main Street.

He was caught by the owner of the restaurant who passed the location and stopped after seeing the back door leading to the upstairs apartment, where his daughter lives, open,

He yelled for his daughter but got no answer, and when he went in, according to court documents, found “an unknown man with an arm full of clothes.”

When asked what he was doing there, the suspect claimed it was his apartment and then cursed at the owner, threatened him and then ran off.

A man matching the burglar's description was later seen at South Jackson and West New Castle streets, and was identified as Freed.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in that incident.