HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Missouri man convicted for 19 local burglaries here in Hutchinson was sentenced Friday afternoon to a total of five years and eight months in prison.
Joseph Paul Jones Jr. was found guilty on all counts involving the crimes which occurred back in the late night hours of May 13 and the early morning hours of May 14, 2014. He was convicted for breaking into the local businesses by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. The state says Jones cut the telephone lines at several businesses before making entry.
His conviction was for 39 counts involving all these burglaries and he was sentenced to 34-months on the first count which they called the primary offense then doubled it.
The defense wanted the sentencing continued because of wanting to file a written departure motion. Plus Defense Attorney Justin Bravi wanted more time to go over the criminal history score which showed Jones is a category “A” which is the highest you can have. That was denied after Judge Trish Rose looked over information the state provided which confirmed his prior criminal history which the state says shows he has 24 prior convictions.
The defense then requested a departure to community corrections and if the judge wouldn’t allow that, then to grant him a total of three years. But, Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell argued that the evidence in the case was compelling and that he planned these burglaries calling him a pro and wanted the maximum under the double rule.
Judge Rose denied the defense request and went along with the states recommendation and sentenced him to a total of 68-months or five years, eight months in prison.
There is also some question of restitution with the amount in the thousands of dollars. The pre-sentence investigation had one amount of about $11,215.00, but the state believes it may be more, so a hearing over restitution will be held on March 12.
Jones still faces charges in Sedgwick and Lyon Counties.