FARMINGTON — A Newport man was sentenced Tuesday to serve five years with all but 30 days suspended for stealing 11 guns from a Salem Township residence on Nov. 13, 2014, according to court documents.
David A. Ireland, 53, formerly of Corinna, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer prior to being sentenced. Felony charges of burglary and aggravated furnishing of scheduled drugs were dismissed in a negotiated agreement, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins said Wednesday.
Ireland was scheduled to go on trial by jury on Wednesday.
Ireland and his 17-year-old son of Salem Township were charged last year in connection to breaking into a Salem Township residence and stealing the guns, State Police trooper Reid Pond previously said.
Ammunition and other items were also taken, he previously said.
Ireland was also accused of giving his son Ritalin, according to police.
Ireland’s son pleaded guilty to felony charges of burglary and theft in Juvenile Court in Farmington in July, according to court documents.
His sentencing was delayed for one year in an agreement that requires him to complete tasks, including 100 hours of community service. If he is successful, he will be able to withdraw his plea to a felony and plead to a misdemeanor charge with discharge and restitution.
David Ireland was also ordered to serve two years of probation in the case.
Father and son have been ordered to pay a total of $9,210 between them in restitution to benefit the victim.
State Police received a tip in the case in November 2014 from Newport police Lt. Randy Wing that the older Ireland had pawned one of the stolen guns at a pawn shop in Newport.
Bond and trooper Christopher Crawford executed a search warrant at Ireland’s home but did not find the guns.
State Police Sgt. Jason Richards interviewed the teenager, who confessed that he and his father had stolen the guns, Bond previously said.
Only one of the stolen guns, which include a mix of handguns, rifles and shotguns, has been recovered as of Wednesday, Robbins said.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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