Sentencing for Stratton man Feb. 19

TRENTON -- A Stratton man who helped break into a Stratton service station will be sentenced Feb. 19, at 8:30 a.m., in Hitchcock County district court, following his preliminary hearing Thursday in Trenton.

Troy Troutman, 19, admitted to District Judge John Battershell his involvement in the October 3 break-in of Scott's Sinclair Station in Stratton. Troutman told the judge he acted as a look-out while his friend entered the station, and then he helped carry stuff to his garage.

In a plea agreement, Troutman pleaded guilty to the burglary charge, and charges of criminal mischief were dropped after he paid $464.16, his share of restitution costs.

Judge Battershell ordered a presentence investigation by probation officers and set sentencing for Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 8:30 a.m. Battershell continued Troutman's $10,000 bond.

Troutman's co-defendent, 18-year-old Merrill Johnston III of Trenton, was sentenced Dec. 9 to 24 months probation and ordered to way restitution and court costs.