Citing a detailed plan to acquire a job, attend college and turn around his life, a Parkersburg man was given 100 days in the Washington County Jail and three years community control from Washington County Common Pleas Judge Ed Lane Thursday morning.
Christopher Kieper, 18, of 3003 Camden Ave., Parkersburg, reportedly broke into multiple vehicles on Fourth Street in Belpre on March 18, stealing cash, a checkbook and a credit card.
Kieper was caught in the act of breaking into the vehicles, and originally faced 18 different charges, including two felonies and 16 misdemeanors.
Article Photos
KEVIN PIERSON The Marietta Times
Christopher Kieper, right, looks over a statement he prepared for his sentencing in Judge Ed Lane’s courtroom Thursday morning while his defense attorney, Assistant Washington County Public Defender Randall Jedlink, left, examines paperwork.
He was sentenced Thursday for a fifth-degree felony count of theft of a credit card. The maximum possible penalty for a fifth-degree felony is 12 months confinement in prison.
"He's extremely disappointed for what he's done, not just for himself, but because he let his family down," said Kieper's attorney, assistant Washington County public defender Randall Jedlink.
Appearing in court after being sentenced to 90 days in the county jail to resolve the misdemeanor charges, Kieper expressed remorse for his actions to Lane, and pledged to learn from his mistake.
Fact Box
At a glance
- On March 18, Christopher Kieper, 18, of 3003 Camden Ave., Parkersburg, was arrested after allegedly breaking into multiple vehicles on Fourth Street in Belpre.
- Kieper appeared in Marietta Municipal Court on March 19, where he faced a total of 18 charges, including two felonies and 16 misdemeanors.
- Thursday morning Kieper was sentenced to 100 days in the county jail and three years community control after he reached a plea agreement on a bill of information for a fifth-degree felony count of theft of a credit card.
Source: Washington County Prosecutor's office.
Kieper, who told Lane he intended to enlist in the military if he was unable to enroll in college, said he wanted to prove to the court and his family he was better than his actions indicated.
"I have big plans for myself. I'm just asking that you let me follow through with my plans," Kieper said.
Jedlink said that Kieper did not have a drug or alcohol problem, but broke into the vehicles in an effort to gain the funds necessary to pay his rent.
Prosecutors did not have an exact number for how many vehicles Kieper broke into, but said it was several different ones.
"He just probably panicked a little bit when he was running low on money, did something he probably shouldn't have," Jedlink said.
According to police, Kieper was spotted breaking into the vehicles and taken into custody. At that time, he admitted to the crime, called it stupid, and returned the items taken.
"He did go through and point out for every vehicle this (item) came out of here, this came out of here," explained Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Amy Graham.
Kieper reiterated his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions, and said he had no intentions of committing another crime, causing him to return to jail.
"I've hurt my family by what I've done, and that's the worst punishment I could ever have," Kieper said. "I have learned my lesson. I will never be in trouble again."
Originally, Kieper was charged with two fifth-degree felony counts of theft, seven first-degree misdemeanors, one second-degree misdemeanor and eight fourth-degree misdemeanors.
He could have been sentenced to two years confinement on the felony charges and 1,590 days, or four years and three months, on the misdemeanors.
Kieper was given credit for 89 days served in the county jail on the misdemeanor charges, meaning he has 11 additional days to serve.
