Perryville man charged in several offenses in short time

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Adam M. Hahn apparently has become a familiar face to those in Perry County law enforcement. Considering the circumstances under which they have met, the faces generally are not friendly.

On Tuesday, the 23-year-old Perryville resident saw felony charges of burglary and theft filed against him, marking only the latest accusations against a man who has seen a year marked by a string of such charges on various offenses.

"We've dealt with him on several occasions," said Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf. "Some people just don't learn."

Tuesday, Hahn was charged with second-degree burglary and theft, stemming from an alleged Oct. 26 incident. Those charges alone -- both C felonies -- carry up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

On Oct. 1, Hahn saw charges of possession of a controlled substance filed in court, racking up another C felony and possibly another seven years in prison.

A string of legal trouble began for Hahn in December, when he was charged with child abuse. A report was made to the Perryville Police Department, when the father of a child -- not Hahn -- reported bruising to the child's face, left thigh and buttock, according to court documents. Investigators said Hahn had been baby-sitting for the mother, and the child was uninjured before he watched the child.

In February, Hahn was accused of first-degree burglary and misdemeanor property damage. He was arrested in September and charged with selling prescription pills near a school -- an A felony that carries a possible life sentence.

Hahn is being represented in these court cases by Craig Brewer, who has been a Perryville lawyer for nearly 15 years. He acknowledged that the number of charges against his client is higher than usual.

"Yeah, it's probably more than you would typically see," Brewer said.

Brewer was careful not to comment on specifics of the case. When asked if it could be a case of law enforcement singling out his client or a case of picking on him, it gave Brewer pause.

"I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that," he said. "But I really haven't had enough time to investigate."

But Schaaf said it's not uncommon for suspects to be repeat offenders. Many of them are caught, he said.

"They might want to consider another line of work," Schaaf said. "Or get used to prison food."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO