Dish installer who invaded a home is looking at prison time

Raymond Kirby, with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 44-year-old Saginaw man who was working for Dish Network as a dish installer when he entered a Ferry Township home and stole a muzzleloader last April pleaded guilty Monday, July 20, in 27th Circuit Court to first-degree home invasion.

Raymond Joseph Kirby faces 51-85 months in prison, which are the sentencing guidelines for his conviction. The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison, said Judge Anthony Monton.

In exchange for his guilty plea, one count of larceny of a firearm and one count of felony firearm were dismissed. Also, his habitual offender status was withdrawn as part of the plea deal.

A clipboard containing Dish Network paperwork left behind at the crime scene led the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office to Kirby and another Dish Network worker from the Saginaw area who police said stole two 50-caliber muzzleloaders from a residence in the 3200 block of South 124th Avenue.

The resident discovered the clipboard that contained handwritten notes and installation forms for Dish Network, April 9. “The resident thought this was very suspicious, since he does not have a subscription to Dish Network,” said Lt. Craig Mast of the OCSO. The resident later discovered that a CVA muzzleloader and a Thompson muzzleloader were missing from his home, Mast said.

Kirby testified Monday that he entered the unlocked home during the day and found a muzzleloader on the porch.

Sentencing is set for Monday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m.