Man with long criminal history sent to prison.

Anthony Priese with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 35-year-old Rothbury man convicted of felonies of larceny in a building; forgery; and uttering and publishing was sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 23, to a minimum of one-and-a-half years in prison.

Anthony Werner Priese, of 9426 Oaklane Dr., pleaded guilty to the charges last month. In exchange for his guilty plea, his fourth-offense habitual offender designation was dismissed. Priese testified that he stole someone’s personal checks and cashed them at the Rothbury Tavern last fall.

“The problem is your record,” said Judge Anthony A. Monton, adding that Priese has five felony and 16 misdemeanor convictions, along with a juvenile record. Monton said he would not object to Priese entering a Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) program or “boot camp.”

“I’m employed now and have been for the last four months,” Priese said. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

Priese, who received credit for five days served in jail, was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 18 months to four years and a concurrent term of 18 months to 14 years.

Sentencing guidelines were seven to 23 months.