A Marietta man gave a choked-up apology to his family before he was sentenced Tuesday to 120 days in jail for theft.
"I'd like to say I'm sorry to my family," said Samuel A. Bruce, 22, of 1005 Orchard St., during his statement in Washington County Common Pleas Court.
Bruce was sentenced on two fifth-degree felony charges, one for trafficking in drugs and one for theft.
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Samuel Bruce, right, listened Tuesday as Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Ed Lane explained the stipulations of his 120-day jail sentence and community control sanctions.
JASMINE ROGERS The Marietta Times
He was first indicted in April for one third-degree felony and one fifth-degree felony charge of trafficking. He pleaded June 7 to the fifth-degree charge which stemmed from a May 2011 incident where Bruce allegedly sold four suboxone pills at a Marietta Speedway store.
Bruce was then indicted again in May on the theft charge. He was accused of breaking into Marietta Joint and Clutch, 18593 State Route 7, Marietta, between April 11 and 13. He allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of property.
Though no one from Marietta Joint and Clutch was at the sentencing Tuesday, Bruce apologized to those from which he stole and said he hopes to eventually pay them back.
Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Ed Lane said he did not have a figure for the required restitution.
"I think a lot of the property was recovered," explained Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Rings when asked if restitution was needed.
"So, no restitution was requested," concluded Lane.
Bruce also said he asked his father and grandparents not to come to his sentencing, because he was too embarrassed for them to see him there.
Though the state did not have any recommendations regarding sentencing, Bruce's attorney, Rolf Baumgartel, stated that his client had shown an interest in the SEPTA program.
"I believe that SEPTA would be very appropriate for him to teach him some skills and some responsibility," said Baumgartel.
Because Bruce was eligible for the SEPTA Correctional Facility, Lane sentenced him to finish out his 120-day jail sentence there after he served 75 days in the Washington County Jail. Bruce received credit for eight days served.
On top of the jail time for the theft, Bruce was sentenced to five years of community control for both the theft and the drug trafficking charges.
"For an addict, there is always a reason to take drugs or drink. You do not have one unless you want to go to prison," Lane said to Bruce after handing down his sentence.
Lane also said that he will not hesitate to send Bruce to prison for the maximum 24 month sentence if he violates community control in any way.
Before being taken into custody by Washington County Sheriff's deputies, Bruce questioned whether he should get another two weeks credit for time served on a contempt of court charge, but Baumgartel quickly quieted him and explained the time did not count because it was for a separate charge.
