2nd man sentenced in computer theft

CALAIS – A second man who broke into a Down East college in April was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison, with all but 14 days suspended in the theft of $10,000 worth of computer equipment that wound up at the University of Maine in Orono.

Justin Yates, 20, of Rumford, also was ordered to pay restitution.

During his court appearance Yates apologize for his part in the break-in.

Yates’ co-defendant, Alexander Kaznica, 19, of Adams Run, Del., entered a guilty plea in 4th District Court in Calais in July.

Kaznica also was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with all but 14 days suspended. He was placed on two years’ probation and ordered to pay $5,245 in restitution to Washington County Community College

Richard Powell, 19, of Peru, was charged with burglary and theft in connection with the April 28 break-in. His case is pending.

The three men were accused of stealing computer equipment valued at more than $10,000 from the college. The computers were later recovered at UM.

More than 100 pieces of computer equipment were taken during the break-in at the main administration and classroom building on U.S. Route 1.

At the time, Calais police said the three men were believed to be acquaintances and students at the college.

Chris Donahue of the Calais Police Department and his dog, Major, followed the scent from the break-in site to dormitories just above the main building.

While they were investigating the burglary, police received a telephone call from agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency in Bangor who said they had received information that a person on the community college campus was involved in the break-in.

Agency officials and a detective from the University of Maine discovered the computer equipment at the Orono campus.

Yates’ attorney, Al Churchill of Calais, told the judge his client regretted his role in the break-in. He said he had acted on a foolish impulse.

Although Yates went along with Kaznica and crawled through a window at the college, the attorney said, his client “got cold feet and decided this wasn’t a good idea.”

Churchill said his client then crawled back outside. “He was periodically yelling ‘Let’s get out of here. Let’s leave.’ Kaznica was inside continuing to collect whatever Kaznica wanted to collect,” Churchill said.

The attorney said his client did help Kaznica carry a bag filled with computer equipment to a car. Later that night, Churchill said, Kaznica went back to the college to collect more computer components.

Judge John Romei asked Yates if he had considered the impact of the lost computers on his fellow students.

Yates told the judge he hadn’t thought about the consequences, but added that he had since sent letters of apology to the school and students. He also told the judge he had gotten involved because of “peer pressure”

While sentencing Yates, the judge acknowledged the mitigating factors in the sentencing, where the man did not have a record and that he had sent letters of apology.

Romei told the 20-year-old that although he had a felony conviction, he should not let it destroy his life.