Suspended sentence and probation for multiple thefts in rural Floyd County

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com 

A Dumont man who pleaded guilty to a range of felonies and misdemeanors in three separate cases was sentenced this week to up to 25 years in prison and various fines, with most of it suspended.

Jason Duane Burnett, age 20, was sentenced in Floyd County District Court on Monday to 90 days in jail with credit for time serviced and to 30 days in jail with credit for time served. He was also ordered to be on probation for five years and to pay various fees and court charges.

As part of his probation, Bennett was ordered to reside at Beje Clark Residential Center in Mason City or a similar facility and to stay there “until maximum benefits are achieved,” and to remain in jail until a position becomes available in a facility.

Burnett was accused of stealing a red 1996 Dodge Ram truck in July 2018 and stripping it for parts, then setting the truck cab on fire on a rural roadway; stealing a black 1997 Dodge Ram truck, painting it and giving it a fraudulent VIN; stealing an International Harvester 806 tractor; having stolen property in his possession including trucks, truck parts, tractors and “possibly other trailers and such;” and having possession of a Mitchell County welcome sign and a “Suicidal Deer” warning sign.

He was separately charged with forgery and an additional theft, and with possession of hydrocodone and possession of codeine.

In three separate plea agreements, Burnett had pleaded guilty to ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony; first-degree theft, a Class C felony; second-degree arson, a Class C felony; second-degree theft, a Class D felony; fourth-degree theft, a serious misdemeanor; first-degree theft, a Class C felony; and possession of hydrocodone, a serious misdemeanor.

As part of the plea agreements, charges of first-degree theft, second-degree theft, third-degree theft, forgery and possession of codeine were dismissed.

Judge Gregg Rosenbladt sentenced Burnett to up to 25 years on the Class B felony and up to 10 years in prison on each of the other felonies, along with fines and surcharges, all of it suspended.

Most of the charges involving the vehicle thefts were the same as those charged against Colten Lindley, age 23, of Rockford.

Lindley had pleaded guilty last year to five felony charges and had also been given a suspended sentence and five years probation.