Larson

ESCANABA — A local handyman who stole items from a home he was working on in Escanaba last year was ordered to prison for two to 10 years during his sentencing in Delta County Circuit Court on Monday.

John Paul Larson, 36, of Escanaba, was hired to install flooring in an Escanaba home last December when he stole an estimated $2,500 in change and a $350 television from the residence, according to Escanaba Public Safety, the investigating agency.

Last April, Larson pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering a building with intent, a 10-year felony.

During sentencing Monday, Judge John Economopoulos told Larson that the television and the money can be replaced, but the victims’ peace of mind can never be replaced.

“You victimized people who were just living their lives,” said Economopoulos, noting the couple was victimized in their own home.

Prosecutor Philip Strom told the court the couple had tried to help the defendant by giving him a job and entrusting him in their home.

“They were victims in their own home… That is troublesome,” said Strom, noting that Larson paid restitution but added, “Incarceration or restitution will not give back the victims’ sense of security.”

Strom also said Larson was considered for the county’s drug court program until his bad behavior in jail made him ineligible.

In addition to the prison term, Larson was ordered to pay $3,850 in restitution, which he has paid, and $198 in fines and costs. He was given credit for serving 160 days in the county jail where he has been held in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

In exchange for Larson’s guilty plea, the court dismissed one count of second-degree home invasion, a 15-year felony, and one count of larceny in a building, a four-year felony. A habitual offense notice was also dismissed.

Larson had prior convictions on 15 misdemeanors and five felonies.

Prior to being sentenced, Larson apologized to the victims, saying what he did was wrong and that he felt ashamed. Drugs and alcohol are the only things that he has been in trouble for, he added.

Larson’s attorney, John M.A. Bergman, said his client has a drug problem and was clean for awhile before he relapsed.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net