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Joseph Riggs with attorney Terry Shaw.
Man sent to jail for stealing mom’s credit card to buy beer, cigarettes.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART – A 36-year-old Mears man who stole his mother’s credit card to buy beer, cigarettes and gas was sentenced to six months in jail in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 3.
Joseph Alan Riggs, of 5839 5th St., pleaded guilty last October to illegal use or sale of a financial transaction device.
“She let me use it to put gas in her car, but I never gave it back to her,” Riggs previously testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead. He testified that he used his mom’s credit card last April in Golden Township, charging approximately $200.
Riggs, who testified that he had a cocaine problem, will enter inpatient rehabilitation after his release. If he doesn’t successfully complete rehab, he will go to prison, said Judge Robert D. Springstead.
Riggs has a long criminal history including five felony convictions and 25 misdemeanors, the judge said. “You don’t need drugs in your life,” he added.
He and his mother have since “buried the hatchet,” said his attorney Terry Shaw.
“I’m getting too old for this,” Riggs said of his criminal behavior.
Riggs, who received credit for 115 days served in jail, was also ordered to serve 18 months probation.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are two to 17 months.
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