6/30/11 Millersburg man pleads to theft of firearm

  • By Nick Sabo
  • June 30, 2011
  • 262
                        
SUMMARY: Attorney says man planned to harm himself A Millersburg man charged with stealing a handgun was planning to use the weapon to harm himself, his attorney said Wednesday June 29. Andrew L. Milner, 27, 6514 Township Road 350, pleaded guilty in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to one count of grand theft of a firearm, a third-degree felony. The charge stems from April 26, when Milner walked into the mobile home of an acquaintance and stole the handgun, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said. Milner was found to be in possession of the handgun May 16 and said he was renting it from the owner. He confessed to stealing it the next day, Knowling said. Milner pleaded prior to grand jury review of the charge to avoid being charged with burglary, his attorney, Thomas White said. White said Milner stole the gun because he was planning to commit suicide. “(Milner) called his wife May 16, she called (the police) and they saved his life,” White said. Knowling said he was unaware of any suicidal intentions and said Holmes County Sheriff’s deputies had been investigating Milner for some time prior to May 16. White asked that Milner undergo a referral assessment to Stark Regional Community Corrections Center for residential drug and alcohol treatment. Milner admitted to consuming alcohol the night before the plea hearing and said he used marijuana and cocaine “a few days ago”. Rinfret ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for Aug. 24. Milner faces up to five years in prison on the charge.


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