Man gets three years for theft

A 23-year-old man was sentenced to three years in jail Aug. 2 in Flathead Court after pleading guilty to two counts of felony theft.

McPheeters stole roughly $4,700 worth of items from Lowe’s, Costco, Sportsman and Ski Haus, Target and Walmart between Nov. 3, 2011 and Feb. 4, 2012.

During the Thursday hearing, McPheeters apologized for his actions, which he credited to a drug problem.

“I am truly sorry for the crimes I committed,” he said, later adding “None of these incidents would have happened if I was sober.”

McPheeters, who claimed he had now been sober for 168 days, said his No. 1 priority would be to pay his restitution.

In addition to three years in jail, McPheeters was given two years suspended. Because only Sportsman and Ski Haus and Walmart filed for restitution, he was only ordered to pay approximately $1,150 in restitution, $700 to Sportsman and Ski Haus and the remainder to Walmart.

He also was ordered to pay an $800 public defender fee, a $320 surcharge and a $2,000 fine.