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Stolen checks land Warren man in state prison

A Warren man is headed to state prison after he stole and cashed checks from a woman’s home while working as a contractor.

Judge Gregory Hammond handed down the sentence against Lee Jordan, 49, on Friday morning.

Assistant Public Defender Francis Waweru told the court that his client is “deeply apologetic” for his conduct and has taken responsibility since the very beginning of the case in early March.

Waweru told Hammond that Jordan is looking to get a job to pay back every dollar that he took.

First Assistant District Attorney Cody Brown said the restitution amount in the case is $2,200.

Jordan apologized to “everyone he hurt” and said he needs drug and alcohol treatment help. He also outlined the work he has lined up for the summer, claiming he would be able to pay his costs and restitution by the end of the year.

Having been in jail for 50 days, he asked for a time served sentence.

Hammond disagreed.

He explained that he sentenced Jordan in 2011 and that Jordan subsequently was revoked twice on parole and served the maximum. He said Jordan also served a state sentence on a forgery count in 2012.

Hammond told Jordan that the victim “trusted you” and allowed him into her home as a contractor, where he stole seven checks and cashed six of them.

He then sentenced Jordan to 12 to 36 months incarceration with credit for 50 days time served along with $2,575 in fines and fees, to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with recommendations, to submit a DNA sample. Hammond also made him state drug treatment eligible and ordered he have no contact with the victim or trespass on their property.

Other sentences handed down Friday morning include:

¯ Thomas L. Buchanan, 61, Warren, to one year probation, $250 in fees and 20 hours of community service on a count of obstructing the administration of law as well as 90 days probation and five hours of community service on a count of public drunkenness.

¯ George A. Flasher, 20, Sheffield, to 15 days to one year incarceration with credit for 15 days time served, $5.96 in restitution, $375 fees, 20 hours of community service and submission of a DNA sample on a count of retail theft.

¯ Larenda K. Martin, 37, Bradford, to 72 days to two years less one day with credit for 72 days time served, $625 in fees, 20 hours of community service, submission of a DNA sample and compliance with drug and alcohol treatment and mental health treatment recommendations on an offensive weapons violation. Hammond said she would only be paroled, however, to inpatient treatment. At a second docket, Martin was sentenced to two years probation, $24.97 in restitution, $125 in fees, 30 hours of community service and a no trespass order at Walmart on a count of conspiracy (retail theft).

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