Law and Order Lake County
July 13, 2012 5:30PM
Updated: August 15, 2012 6:07AM
Lowell
Woman sentenced for burglary, entry
A Lowell woman was sentenced Friday to three and one-half years for burglary and residential entry.
Abra A. Smith, 29, told Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez she felt ashamed but has learned from her mistakes and is turning her life around, starting with completing a conquering chemical dependency program in the jail.
Vasquez sentenced Smith to two years in prison for a March 21 burglary in Lowell, which was interrupted when the owners discovered a window screen missing and their dog locked in a room. Police found Smith hiding in a closet and a purse nearby containing items that belong to the owners.
The judge sentenced Smith to 18 months for residential entry in an April 20 break-in at another Lowell home. That sentence will be served in Lake County Community Corrections.
The sentences will be served consecutively because Smith was on bond in the burglary case when she committed the residential entry.
Defense attorney Adrian Guzman said his client started getting into trouble with arrests for misdemeanors in 2010, after she became addicted to prescription medication. His client, who found herself involved in an abusive relationship and lived in a domestic violence shelter for a while, has a job waiting for her.
Deputy prosecutor Lindsey Field argued for a split sentence of prison time, community corrections and probation. She noted Smith was on probation in Porter County when she was charged with burglary.
