Law and Order Lake County
February 27, 2013 3:00PM
Updated: February 27, 2013 4:57PM
Hobart
Illinois man admits Smoke Shop theft
Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr. sentenced a Markham, Ill., man to 19 months in prison for theft.
Justin Terrel Slaughter, 21, admitted he and other individuals went inside the Smoke City on East 37th Avenue in Hobart on Sept. 10 and stole cigarette filters and rolling papers before they fled in a Buick Regal that was found in LaPorte County.
LaPorte County police were investigating Slaughter for another burglary when he admitted committing the offense in Hobart.
Defense attorney Teresa Hollandsworth acknowledged her client has three prior felony convictions and cases pending in LaPorte County, but presented testimony from Slaughter’s mother, Stacy, that she is committed to helping her son get the drug treatment he needs.
Deputy prosecutor Michael Haynes argued for 18 months in prison and noted that Slaughter was on parole in Cook County, Ill., for three residential burglaries when he committed the Hobart theft.
A burglary charge that is punishable by two to eight years was dismissed.
