KOSCIUSKO — A Warsaw man was sentenced for attempted burglary in Kosciusko County Superior Court 3 yesterday, July 30.

Zachery Stavedahl

Zachery Michael Stavedahl, 19, Warsaw, was originally charged with attempted burglary, a level 4 felony, and attempted theft, a level 6 felony. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the theft charge was dropped.

On Feb. 10, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to an attempted burglary. The homeowner advised she was inside her residence when she observed a black pickup truck pull into her driveway. Two male subjects exited the truck and walked to her residence. One of them found her hidden key and unlocked the front door. They opened the door, saw the homeowner and ran back to the truck.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, someone told an officer that the driver of the truck had talked about a plan to go to the residence to steal money and property. The plan involved Stavedahl, two minors and the driver of the truck.

An officer spoke with Stavedahl who admitted that they had gone to the residence because they needed money. He told the officer that he and a minor exited the vehicle and found the key. Stavedahl further admitted to running from the residence when he and the minor saw the homeowner.

During the sentencing, Stavedahl’s attorney John Barrett noted that this was Stavedahl’s first criminal offense. “He’s 19 years of age, he’s a high school graduate,” commented Barrett. “He’s had a taste of incarceration. My hope for Zach is that he puts this behind him and moves on.”

Stavedahl expressed remorse regarding the crime. “I just wanted to say I know it was wrong what I did,” said Stavedahl. “I’ve learned my lesson. I’d like to do good.

Judge Joe Sutton noted that while the crime was Stavedahls first offense, the fact that it was a personal residence was against him.

Stavedahl was sentenced to serve a one-year executed sentence. Stavedahl has been incarcerated since the crime and was credited with 166 days of jail time credit. It was estimated that he will have to serve 107 more days. Judge Sutton had no objection to the remainder of the sentence being served through work release or community corrections. Five years were suspended per the plea agreement.

A no-contact order was placed between Stavedahl and the homeowner. He is also prohibited from trespassing at the home. Judge Sutton further placed no-contact orders between Stavedahl and all others involved in the crime.