Beatrice Man Sentenced for Thefts, Urged to Pay Back His Victims

BEATRICE – A judge sentenced a man to six years of probation for convictions in three criminal cases, telling him if he’s serious about his sobriety, he’ll pay back the people he stole from.

47-year-old Shawn Huntington, of Beatrice was sentenced to three consecutive two-year probation terms, by Gage County District Judge Rick Schreiner.
Defense attorneys pointed out that Huntington has made significant progress in substance abuse treatment and has served as a leadership example for others in treatment.

Huntington was convicted of two felony counts of theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. Several other charges were dismissed. The judge told the defendant if he’s serious about his sobriety, he’ll work to pay back the victims of his crimes.
The judge told the defendant, "I can't order restitution because I don't have an amount to order and there's been no restitution hearing. I like to make victims whole, if I can, that's my goal. You got a lot of stuff back....they got zero".

As part of the probation sentences, Judge Schreiner ordered Huntington to obtain restitution amounts from the county attorney’s office.
The judge said Huntington has used his time well to improve himself, but that he better use his time on probation to make restitution to his victims.
Huntington was arrested for crimes in 2017 and 2018, including burglaries where investigators determined a total of $6,300 of items were stolen in five separate break-ins.

One law officer stated in an affidavit that Huntington was found to be in possession of items taken in approximately eight burglaries.
As part of his sentences, Huntington was ordered to pay court costs totaling $412, and write letters of apology to his victims.