High school break-in culprits sentenced

Korbin Kruz Garcia, at left, with his attorney Timothy Hayes.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — One of the three defendants who broke into Hart High School the day after Christmas was sent to jail Monday, March 16, during his sentencing in 27th Circuit Court.

The oldest of the three suspects — Korbin Kruz Garcia of Hart — was sentenced to six months in jail with one year discretionary jail for his role in the breaking and entering. Garcia, who was 19 at the time of the crime, has since turned 20 years old, according to his court file. Because Garcia has a previous criminal record, he was not eligible for Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) like his co-defendant, 18-year-old Juan Sanchez of Hart. The third suspect is 16 years old, and his case is being handled in juvenile court.

Juan Sanchez, at left, with his attorney Doug Springstead.

Both Garcia and Sanchez are convicted of breaking and entering with intent, which is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Garcia’s criminal record recently came to light after an original agreement was reached between the Prosecutor’s Office and his attorney, Timothy Hayes, that he would qualify for HYTA. Judge Anthony Monton told Garcia he had two options: (1) withdraw his plea and go to trial; or (2) proceed and accept a six-month sentence. Garcia opted to proceed with the six-month sentence. He was also placed on probation for 18 months; ordered to pay $198 in fines and costs; must complete any alcohol or substance abuse programs recommended by his probation officer; refrain from using alcohol and drugs; and will be subject to random testing. Restitution of $2,263.95 is joint and several with his co-defendants and payable to the Coca Cola Company for damaging the soda machine when they tried to gain access to its cash box. Garcia was given credit for two days already served in the county jail.

Sanchez, who qualified for HYTA, was cautioned by Monton that he must stay out of trouble to successfully complete the assignment. “It’s a zero tolerance situation,” Monton said. “You could be sent to a long, long term in the county jail or even prison.”

At the beginning of the sentencing hearing, Sanchez’s attorney, Doug Springstead, asked Monton to “take into consideration his youth and the stupidity of what he did. It was a dumb thing to do,” Springstead said, “and he realizes that now.”

“I’m just sorry for what I did,” Sanchez said.