Teen burglar given probation could now face prison time

CEDAR RAPIDS — An 18-year-old who avoided a 10-year prison sentence by getting probation three weeks ago will likely be back in court soon.

Cedar Rapids police issued three arrest warrants Tuesday for Frank Wells to revoke his probation for first-degree theft, third-degree burglary and interference with official acts, and another count of third-degree burglary. Police said he walked away from the Lary A. Nelson Center last Friday, where he was serving his probation.

Police in a statement said the department was concerned about 'this individual not being in custody and out in the community. He is a known burglar and has been a suspect in a significant number of daytime residential burglaries committed in the city.'

Police are asking that anyone with information about Wells' whereabouts to contact law enforcement.

On Jan. 3, Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns said during sentencing it was a 'close and tough' call to make because Wells was 17 at the time of the offenses, but he opted to give Wells three years of probation and place him at a residential center.

Bruns said this case was 'troubling' for him because Wells committed the third-degree burglary and interference with official acts — breaking into a home on Aug. 21, 2016 — while awaiting sentencing for two other convictions, one for third-degree burglary on Oct. 14, 2015, and another for a first-degree theft and carrying weapons conviction on March 3, 2016.

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

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

Bruns admitted he was prepared to give Wells prison time, but he then considered his age and how the U.S. Supreme Court views juveniles as having the ability to rehabilitate. He decided to run the sentences concurrently for up to 10 years but suspended the sentence and gave Wells probation.

If Wells' probation in the three cases is revoked, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

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