FENNIMORE — A Platteville man will be sentenced later this month for his role in multiple area burglaries, including the December 2011 burglary and vandalism of Fennimore High School.
Dillon J. Potts, 18, will be sentenced on Friday, July 26 at 2 p.m. in Grant County Circuit Court.
Potts pleaded guilty in Grant County Circuit Court to four counts of burglary-building or dwelling, a class F felony, on Tuesday, June 18. He also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage to property of more than $2,500, a class I felony.
Three counts theft-movable property up to $2,500), and three counts of criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors, were dismissed but read in. As a result of the charges being read in, Potts admitted those crimes happened for the purposes of sentencing the case.
All counts included a Party to a Crime modifier.
Each class F felony count carries maximum sentence of 12 years and six months in prison, and up to $25,000 in fines. A class I felony carries a maximum sentence of three years and six months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Ryne D. Stanko, 20, Fennimore, was sentenced to seven years probation, including one year in jail, for his role in the burglaries in April. Stanko was deemed eligible for Huber work release.
Stanko was ordered to pay restitution, joint and several, Potts. Both Stanko and Potts are responsible for the full amount. Once the full amount has been received by the court, it will no longer accept payments. This ensures that if one defendant does not pay, the victims will still be fully reimbursed.
Stanko was expected to write a letter of apology to each victim no later than July 1, according to court records. A review hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.
A narrative filed with the criminal complaints against Stanko and Potts alleged both played a role in several burglaries in late 2011 and 2012.
The Liberty Mutual Insurance Office in Stitzer reported on Nov. 28, 2011 a break-in that resulted in the theft of a safe. The safe, which weighed in excess of 200 pounds, was recovered near Blue River.
Fennimore High School was burglarized during the early morning hours on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Many items were stolen and the school was vandalized, according to the criminal complaint.
The narrative alleged Stanko, Potts and a third suspect gained roof access to the high school and entered through a window above the choir room.
After gaining entry, Stanko, Potts and the third suspect entered classrooms, stole items and vandalized some rooms, according to the criminal complaint.
The burglars allegedly gained access to the high school’s technology education room and stole a cordless drill, which was used to gain access to additional rooms.
Bolt cutters were used to break into lockers and steal bookbags. Laptops, computer hard drives, cash from the office safe, student medication, electronic scales, snacks from the kitchen and more were stolen, according to the criminal complaint.
The Golden Eagle at the center of the gymnasium floor was vandalized as well.
Goodman, Stanko and Potts allegedly were part of burglaries to cabins on Castle Rock Creek Road in early January 2012, as well as a burglary at Hickory Grove Golf Course last July 24.
