BB gun vandal gets deferred sentence

James W. White received a three-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay more than $10,000 in restitution, together with the juvenile also accused of vandalising with him, for damages he caused with a BB gun to Rudyard and Havre residents and businesses.

Probation and Parole Officer Katie Kuhr gave testimony of the victims and the cost of the damages, $10,263.67.

The state, represented by Deputy Hill County Attorney Carolyn Gray, said there was "strong indication" that White was involved in all the damage incurred by the mentioned residents and business.

White's attorney, Stephen R. Brown, argued that his defendant didn't agree to all the damages in the plea deal and there was no evidence linking White to any damages outside of the ones he admitted to: "a business victim in Rudyard and business victims in Havre," as listed in minutes from in the Feb. 23 plea hearing minutes.

Gray countered by reading a voluntary statement of admission given by White Jan. 14, 2015, at the Hill County Sheriff's Office. The statement implicated White in several window shootings and on multiple days.

After District Court Judge Daniel Boucher gave White a chance to say something, White stood up and apologized for the problems he caused. He added that he didn't have a grudge against anyone.

White's statement at the sheriff's office, the one Gray read, was the evidence Boucher needed to order White to pay the restitution Gray recommended.

The 16-year-old juvenile also accused in the BB gun vandalisms was sentenced after White, with the difference being that he received a two-year deferred sentence instead of three. Boucher mentioned he wanted to give the youth a chance to have the offense removed from his record.

The following residents and businesses are to receive the restitution:

• Big Equipment Co., Havre: $628.37

• Havre Ford, Havre: $478

• Torgersons, Havre: $836.42

• Columbia Grain Elevator, Rudyard: $590.64

• Evelyn Wake, Rudyard: $190

• Trevor Wolery, Rudyard: $500

• The American Insurance Company, O'Fallon, Missouri: $1,150

• Craig Anderson, Rudyard: $452.39

• Shannon Jackson, Rudyard: $1,046

• Mark Wicks, Inverness: $1,450.20

• Landon Nester, Havre: $558.45

• Raymond Miller, Havre: $289.20

• Tyler Lamb, Havre: $325

• Moodie Implement, Havre: $1,769