CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) – An area man accused in a burglary that occurred in Ashland Township last year entered a guilty plea in court on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, June 3, 28-year-old Dusty James Howe, of Parker, pleaded guilty to the following charges in Clarion County Court of Common Pleas:
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges have been dismissed:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 1
– Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, Summary
Sentencing for the case is scheduled for July 1.
Howe is currently free on a $10,000.00 surety bond posted by a professional bondsman.
The charges stem from an investigation into an incident that occurred in Ashland Township, Clarion County, in July of 2019.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 4:40 p.m. on July 23, Trooper Allison, of the Clarion-based State Police, made contact with Dusty James Howe on Grace Church Road in Ashland Township, Clarion County.
Howe was walking on the roadway while intoxicated and also smelled of alcohol, the complaint states.
Trooper Allison then took Howe into custody for public drunkenness as he was a safety hazard to himself and the public, according to the complaint.
A search of Howe was then conducted and a Crown Royal bag with stolen coins and a known victim’s medication was located in Howe’s pants pocket, the complaint indicates.
Howe was then transported to the Clarion-based State Police barracks where he was given his Miranda Warnings.
Howe stated he was at the known victim’s residence and related that the victim allegedly owed him $120.00. He went on to state that he left the residence on foot, but then went back a short time later, entered the residence again, and took the coins and pills belonging to the victim, according to the complaint.
The complaint notes that Howe stated “an old guy let him in,” but the victim related that nobody was home when Howe entered the residence. The victim also stated that Howe did not have permission to enter the residence and take the coins or pills.
According to the complaint, Howe also stated he had been drinking and consumed some Percocet pills prior to making contact with Trooper Allison.
Howe was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on September 19 in Magisterial District Judge Amy Long Turk’s office.
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