News
Oak Hill Man Gets 7 Years In Prison For Burglary
By: Jennifer Hughes | Jackson County Times-Tribune
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An Oak Hill man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for burglarizing a Jefferson Township home.
"This case is yet another example of our concerted effort to deliver serious punishment for burglars targeting citizens of Jackson County," Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett said following the sentencing.
The incarceration of George Collins, of West Main, Oak Hill, resulted from his involvement in the April 2013 thefts from the residence of David Lewis in Jefferson Township. According to Lovett, Collins forcefully entered the Lewis residence and stole numerous items. The homeowners later returned to their home to discover the break-in and alerted authorities.
Law enforcement officers with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and initiated an investigation. With assistance from officers with the Oak Hill Police Department and Jackson Police Department, investigators quickly learned information that led to the apprehension of Collins and resulted in the return of nearly all of the stolen property.
On March 24, Collins entered a plea of guilty to complicity to burglary, a felony of the second degree. Common Pleas Judge Christopher J. Regan then sentenced Collins to seven years in prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Collins was ordered to pay court costs and is also subject to post-release control following incarceration. Any violation of the post-release control could result in additional imprisonment.
Lovett reports that Collins is currently incarcerated at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient.