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Havre man gets 7 years probation for thefts

Judge David Cybulski of state District Court handed 34-year-old Havre man Ryan Schafer concurrent seven-year suspended sentences this morning, for four felony charges, including theft and criminal mischief.

In the string of thefts for which Schafer and his partner, Jesus Soto, were arrested last November, Schafer will have to serve probation for seven years and pay $5,921 restitution and fees.

Throughout the sentencing, and afterward, Schafer was repentant.

"All I know is my partner in this and I feel very apologetic about this, " Schafer told the judge. "I wish I could change what I've done. "

Judge Cybulski said he felt that Schafer's case warranted leniency.

Schafer's criminal history is "not the kind of history that you should be thrown in jail for, " Cybulski said.

"I hope I don't see you again. If I do, I will not be so friendly. "

Schafer was arrested at the end of November, when police officers, whom he had called, found at his residence recently reported stolen property, including vehicles, tools and guns.

Soto was arrested, but not charged in the theft case. He was involved in another case at the time, for which he was sentenced to five years, with three suspended, in the Department of Corrections last March.

Schafer suspects Soto played up Schafer's involvement in the thefts.

"It wasn't very cool, what he did to me, " Schafer said.

In April, Schafer pleaded guilty to the four charges, two felony theft and two felony criminal mischief.

Now he just wants to apologize, move on and raise his boys.

"I was blacked out on alcohol when all of this happened, " Schafer said. "I don't really drink, but emotional problems led to my drinking then.

"I feel terrible about what happened. "

 

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