Jackson teen admits to thefts

A Jackson teen pleaded guilty to stealing more than $5,000 in goods from a Jackson church and a Cape Girardeau home.

Brian J. Burke, 17, entered his guilty plea to two counts of felony stealing Tuesday in exchange for prosecutors dropping two counts of second-degree burglary.

Before Circuit Judge William Syler, Burke admitted to stealing several guitars, a stereo and laptop computer from a Cape Girardeau home on Dec. 16. One of the guitars was worth more than $1,000, assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester said.

Burke also admitted to stealing bankroll paychecks, a video camera and projector from First General Baptist Church in Jackson on the same day.

The stolen property was worth about $5,630.

Following the plea, Syler sentenced Burke to five years' supervised probation on a suspended imposition sentence.

If he violates the conditions of his probation, Burke would be eligible for up to 14 years in prison. Before the plea agreement, Burke could have faced up to 28 years in prison.

Syler also sentenced Burke to serve 10 days in the county jail on his days off from work.

While Burke was required to pay restitution for the stolen property, his attorney, Allen Moss, said most of the goods were returned. The amount of restitution had not yet been decided.

Cases against two co-defendants, Jeffrey Bridgeman, 22, and Christopher Messmer, 20, were pending.