Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge David Cates agreed with defense attorney John Barrett this was Gregory Sutton Jr., 18, South CR 325E, Warsaw, first brush with adult court. Because of this, Sutton was given primarily a suspended sentence with little or no jail time.

“I would like this to be your only go around with adult court. You’re pretty lucky to be in a home where the home owner hadn’t shot you,” stated Cates.

Cates sentenced Sutton to three years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, suspended 2 1/2 years to be served on probation. He was also given 144 days jail credit, leaving approximately one month to serve in jail. “… not a lot of time served, if any. I want you to think about how lucky you are to be here today. Think about the strategies you can do. Get a job, so this is your only go around with this system,” said Cates.

Sutton was charged on Jan. 29, with two counts of burglary, level 4 felonies; and two counts theft, class A misdemeanors. A plea agreement, entered on May 28, resulted in Sutton pleading guilty to one count of burglary, a level 4 felony, with the remaining charges dismissed. The crimes were committed around Jan. 22, and Jan. 28.

During court proceedings the victim, Joetta Burrous, spoke to Sutton. She stated she wasn’t scared the night she faced him in her apartment, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. “You invaded my space, not one time but numerous times.” She noted one night she awoke and found him in her living room watching a DVD on her DVD player. Burrous stated Sutton had made himself at home in a place that wasn’t his home. She did thank him for hooking up the DVD player for her.

“You were taking up residence in my home, that I paid for, you’re not entitled to that. You took away my security. If you would use your energy on something else you would be a wonderful person … you are not entitled to anything other than to make a life for yourself,” she stated.

It was noted though Sutton failed to meet with probation for the pre-sentence investigation, he instead submitted a handwritten report, which he gave to jailers on June 9. The report was given to the courts on June 12.

Barrett referred to the handwritten report, and asked the court to recognize they were dealing with an individual who turned 18 shortly before committing the crimes. He noted his client had volunteered for the Hoosier Youth Challenges, a boot camp, and a conviction of conversion and theft in 2013. “For whatever reason he found himself no where, homeless,” stated Barrett.

Barrett stated Sutton was at a critical stage in his life and this was his first time in adult court. “He will tell you he is sorry for what he did. His goal is to obtain a GED — he wants to get a job. His dad, who is employed with the railroad, wants to welcome him back home, and (get him) headed in the right direction. He is a young man capable of living in society with the rest of us. Being in jail the last six months has had a huge affect on him. He realizes he is not playing around in the juvenile system.”

Sutton apologized for what he did. “I was in a desperate position and making bad choices, which is why I’m here today.”