Vandals sentenced to two to four years in prison
It took a Fayette County judge over 90 minutes to enter the sentencing orders for two people who each pleaded guilty to 53 counts related to a vandalism spree in Connellsville in July, ultimately netting the pair two to four years in jail apiece.
Charles Crouse, 23, of Connellsville, and Illa Blair, 22, of Mount Pleasant will have to pay restitution to the dozens of victims in the case, totaling near $90,000.
While Blair chose not to speak prior to sentencing, attorney Thomas Shaffer, who represents Crouse, expressed to the court his client’s remorse for his actions.
Judge Steve P. Leskinen said after careful consideration, the plea agreement resulted in the most appropriate sanctions.
“Given the number of victims and the sheer amount of total damage that was caused, we’re going to accept this plea bargain,” the judge said. The sentence falls outside the upper end of the guideline range for the misdemeanor charges each defendant faced, but since the sentences are to be consecutively for the 53 cases each, the cumulative sentence made sense, he said.
Crouse and Blair each pleaded guilty earlier this month to several counts of criminal mischief, possessing an instrument of crime, propulsion of missiles, disorderly conduct, loitering and prowling at nighttime, corruption of minors and reckless endangerment.
Leskinen said although the defendants’ specific charges differ slightly, the net effect of the sentences are the same for “the unbelievable amount of damage” caused during an “unexcusable crime spree against the community.”
Crouse was a former contracted newspaper carrier for the Tribune-Review, and in early July, he had Blair and two juveniles in his vehicle as he drove around Connellsville, along his route, he told the court.
Blair admitted to being in the passenger seat, and helping collect and throw rocks at houses and cars. Some of the homes were occupied, but there were no reports of injuries.