Teen steals gun for parents in Bethlehem

[michaelchica]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...,1265906.story

Bethlehem man gets prison for stealing gun
He says he sold his stepfather's revolver to buy clothes.
By Riley Yates | Of The Morning Call
October 9, 2008
A 19-year-old who stole a gun from his parents' Bethlehem home got a lecture and nine to 23 months in prison from a Northampton County judge on Wednesday.

Joseph A. Enriquez of Bethlehem pleaded guilty to the felony theft of his stepfather's Smith & Weston revolver, which he said he stole Jan. 27 and sold for $500 to buy clothes.

His explanation for the theft came only after McFadden grilled him on why he took the gun, after he initially said he wasn't sure of the reason.

''You could have taken a pencil. You could have stolen an iPod, sheets, towels,'' McFadden said. ''You took a gun. Why did you take a gun?''



''It was stupid. It was immature,'' Enriquez responded.

Told finally of the reason, McFadden scolded Enriquez.

''You put into the stream of commerce a weapon that could have been used against anyone here, including your family,'' she said. ''Good for you.''

Enriquez has already spent six months in Northampton County Prison for lack of bail.

McFadden ordered him to obtain a GED, pay a $500 fine and complete 20 hours of community service.

Enriquez also pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing $300 in a separate Feb. 12 theft in Bethlehem. He was given probation on that misdemeanor count and ordered to pay restitution and a $100 fine.

[WhiteFeather]

Wow this judge is really serious in sentencing this criminal to 9 to 23 months for stealing a firearm and the illegal transfer of firearm - NOT!

Also stole 300 bucks and got probation plus restitution for this other crime.

Yet people wonder why we still have a criminal control problem in PA, we just need more useless gun control laws to save US.

I know what would have stopped this crime. Mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms would have made the planet a safer place, and then we could have possibly charged the firearm owner for a crime and really sent a message..... Say what?

[mikepro8]

anyone look up the docket sheets?
He was charged with theft of a firearm (Theft by unlawful taking) and Receiving Stolen Property - both felonies of the second degree.

Now,
Assuming this guy has no prior record, the offense gravity score for this offense is an 8. If he plead to the RSP, its also and 8.
meaning - the standard range of minimal incarceration for someone who has never been convicted of a crime before is 9-16 months.
The judge gave the guy the minimum amount of incarceration possible.

http://pcs.la.psu.edu/2005%20Guideli...r%20Matrix.pdf

[original gunner]

anyone look up the docket sheets?
He was charged with theft of a firearm (Theft by unlawful taking) and Receiving Stolen Property - both felonies of the second degree.

Now,
Assuming this guy has no prior record, the offense gravity score for this offense is an 8. If he plead to the RSP, its also and 8.
meaning - the standard range of minimal incarceration for someone who has never been convicted of a crime before is 9-16 months.
The judge gave the guy the minimum amount of incarceration possible.

http://pcs.la.psu.edu/2005%20Guideli...r%20Matrix.pdf

since imprisonment doesn't do much, better try and give the guy a quick lesson and hope he learns. otherwise, he spends more time away and earns a masters in fucking-the-CJ-system-at-taxpayer-expense degree.

the judge did what the formula prescribes.

[mikepro8]

the judge did what the formula prescribes.

EXACTLY

ten chars.

[P-11 shooter]

I like the fact that part of the sentence was to obtain a G.E.D.

[mikepro8]

I like the fact that part of the sentence was to obtain a G.E.D.

We see that alot, actually... only worded a little differently. Our judges make them take the test... I'm not sure how they can MAKE them pass the test, however.

[edstephan]

What happened to the charge involving a firearm in commission of a felony?
I thought it was an automatic 10 years?
Ed

[mikepro8]

What happened to the charge involving a firearm in commission of a felony?
I thought it was an automatic 10 years?
Ed

No such law on the books in PA.... Federally maybe.
http://pcs.la.psu.edu/mandatory_desc.pdf
This lists all the mandatory penalties.

[edstephan]

And why wasn't Federal firearms charges brought?
I guess it might hurt the young career criminals/animals self esteem.
I bet this Yute is at it again soon after his release.
Ed