Ronan burglar changes plea
POLSON — A Ronan man accused of committing a string of burglaries last summer came to a plea agreement with county prosecutors that will reduce the 18 charges originally filed against him.
Keith Charles Harrison, 22, pleaded guilty after committing a string of burglaries around Ronan last July and September. The plea agreement charges him with two felony counts of burglary and four counts of misdemeanor theft. Harrison originally faced 18 charges: 11 felony counts of burglary, two felony counts of theft, four misdemeanor counts of theft and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. Harrison is suspected of breaking into and robbing or vandalizing approximately 12 homes.
The agreement says that the state and defense will jointly request a 10-year sentence to the Department of Corrections, with five years suspended, on one burglary charge, with a six year deferred sentence on the second felony count. Each misdemeanor charge would get Harrison six month suspended sentences, except for time served. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Harrison will be sentenced on July 22.
Harrison was first arrested by the Ronan Police Department on July 25, 2009, after his father contacted RPD and stated, “his son might be in trouble.”
Harrison admitted entering a residence earlier in the month and returned property he had stolen. After being held in Lake County Jail for approximately 10 days, he was released around Aug. 6, 2009, and the case was dismissed without prejudice because a complete investigation had not been finalized, deputy county attorney Cory Allen said.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy again arrested Harrison on Sept. 3, 2009, after he was found in a residence during an attempted burglary. After that arrest, he admitted committing other burglaries and drove with a deputy, pointing out houses he had entered. The deputy subsequently contacted the residents at the homes and confirmed they had been entered. Guns and jewelry were among the items reported stolen. Harrison was released on his own recognizance on Sept. 14 because the investigation had not progressed to the point where they could continue to hold him in custody, Allen said.
Charges were filed a few days after his release and an arraignment was scheduled for Sept. 24. His attorney, Noel Larrivee, asked for a week’s continuance and on Oct. 1, 2009, Larrivee told the court his client, Harrison, was detained at the Cascade County Detention Center. Larrivee asked for another continuance, and when Harrison still did not show, Judge Christopher issued a warrant for his arrest. Allen said Harrison must have been released from Cascade County before the warrant was issued, and remained free until he was arrested in Polson on Feb. 23.