Judge gives teen burglar probation for three offenses

A judge, saying it was a close call, opted to give a Cedar Rapids teen probation, instead of up to 10 years in prison for burglary and theft charges.

Frank Wells, 17 at the time of the offenses and now 18, pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and interference with officials acts on Tuesday in Linn County District Court. He admitted to breaking into a home at 1019 D Ave. NW on Aug. 21 with the intent to commit a theft. He also admitted to attempting to escape police when they responded to the burglary.

Wells previously pleaded guilty to two charges of third-degree burglary on Oct. 14, 2015. He broke into a home at 1325 K Ave. NE and stole a firearm, cell phones and a laptop. He also pleaded guilty in another incident to first-degree theft and carrying weapons on March 3, 2016. He admitted during the plea to stealing money, a firearm and other items from Trevon Johnson.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns told Wells this was a 'tough” case because 'you're a kid” and it was 'troubling” to him because Wells was awaiting sentencing on the offenses from October 2015 and March 2016 when he committed the other burglary in August.

Bruns said he was ready to give him prison time when he walked into the courtroom but he had to consider his age and how the U.S. Supreme Court views juveniles as having the ability to rehabilitate. He decided to give him probation and place him at a residential facility. Bruns ran the sentences concurrently for up to 10 years in prison and suspended the total sentence.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Rene Schulte asked for prison time because all the offenses involved victims and she had 'no faith” Wells could complete probation based on his previous violations on pretrial release.

Wells told the judge he was sorry for his actions and attributed his behavior to 'peer pressure.”

Bruns gave Wells a stern warning about obeying the rules while on probation and told him if he violated those he could face prison time. He also ordered the teen to pay over $1,500 in victim's restitution and placed a no-contact order for the victims in this case for five years.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com