Sentences were passed in early July on Trevor Hall, 20, and Joshua Brett Hill, 24, for a string of burglary and theft cases between April and May of 2009.

The crime spree involved theft of soft drink machines from businesses throughout the area along with the theft of a four-wheeler from private property.

Prosecutor Ann Stringham said that Hall, currently serving a sentence in Utah State Prison for a number of felonies, “has an extensive criminal history.” She asked the court to impose a sentence to run concurrently with any he’s serving now.

Judge Edwin T. Peterson told Hall to make good use of his time in prison by finishing his education.

“What can you tell me, to convince me at this point you’ll become a taxpaying citizen?” Peterson asked. “You have a bright future, if you want it.”

Peterson sentenced Hall to not more than five years in prison, to run concurrently with his existing sentence, on a third-degree felony theft charge.

Co-defendant Hill, charged with two counts of third-degree felony theft and two counts of misdemeanor theft, has no prior criminal history.

Defense attorney Jed E. Labrum said that Hill should receive a suspended sentence, given his lack of a criminal record. But Stringham said that “some jail time is required from this level of offense.”

Hill told Peterson he wanted to offer an Alford Plea to the crime, which allows him to plead guilty while still asserting innocence.

“I was not there and never involved,” Hill told the court. “But, since I have this felony arrest I’ve had trouble finding work.”

Peterson accepted Hill’s explanation, but added that he “needed to accept responsibility as an adult as he has done a substantial amount of damage to the community.”

Hill received a suspended sentence of two terms of up to five years in Utah State Prison, as well as a suspended sentence of two years in jail for the misdemeanors. He was ordered to make restitution and serve 34 days in jail in eight-day increments so that he could retain his job.

Co-defendants Hill and Hall were identified by Brandon Gale, 21, as participants in a spree of thefts of soft drink machines at commercial properties. Gale was sentenced for his role in the thefts in February and is currently serving a nine-month sentence in Uintah County Jail.

The crime spree consisted of a seven-day period in which soda machines, money, a safe and a four-wheeler were taken by a group of young men.

In a related matter, a third defendant, Jason McDonald, 20, was in court on June 29 as attorneys presented oral arguments regarding his cases. McDonald has been implicated in seven alleged burglaries and thefts during the previously mentioned crime spree.

Peterson found that the crimes were similar if not identical in nature, occurred over a prescribed period, and could be enjoined.

—Mary Bernard, Vernal Express