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Sheffield man sent to state prison on theft

Times Observer file photo Ricky Barr

A Sheffield man whose criminal record extends over 35 years was sentenced to state prison on Friday.

Ricky Allen Barr, 48 was sentenced to two to four years in state prison by Senior Judge William Morgan.

Felony charges were filed against Barr and a co-conspirator, Robert Sheldon, after an investigation into the theft of a purse at the Youngsville Laundromat.

A female reported to police on August 1 that the purse had been stolen and that her debit cards were used to withdraw over $1,400 from her account.

Assistant Public Defender Nicholis Milardo, representing Barr, said that Barr takes full responsibility for his involvement.

He told the court that Barr didn’t have any write-ups while in the Warren County Jail and asked Morgan to impose a county jail sentence.

But First Assistant District Attorney Caleb Gnage pointed out that Barr’s prior record score – five on a scale of zero to five – requires a mitigated sentence to avoid state prison. He said the Commonwealth is asking for a standard range sentence.

Barr apologized to the court as well as the victim.

“I have no excuse for what I was involved in,” he said.

Morgan said that Barr’s record dates back to 1979 as a juvenile includes thefts in 1982, twice in 1986, 1993 and 1994.

“The court cannot ignore this,” Morgan said, noting that a standard range sentence “brings you into state.”

Morgan then sentenced Barr to 12-24 months incarceration on a count of conspiracy (publish, make, see, etc. access device altered, etc.). He was ordered to pay $1,553.50 in total restitution, including $959 to CNB Bank and $443 to Northwest Savings Bank.

Barr was ordered to have no contact with the victim and was given credit for 96 days time served. Morgan said Barr is recidivism risk reduction incentive eligible but not boot camp eligible. He was also ordered to submit a DNA sample. On conspiracy (theft from a motor vehicle), he was sentenced to an additional 12-24 months in prison to be served consecutively.

Morgan sentenced him, as well, to one year of consecutive probation. “That will have someone looking out for you,” he told Barr.

Online court records show that Sheldon’s case is still pending.

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