<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/courts.gif " border=0> Pair plead guilty to misdemeanor stealing in scam

July 18, 2008 12:44 am

— Two former Joplin residents pleaded guilty Thursday in Associate Division of Jasper County Circuit Court to one count each of misdemeanor stealing for their roles in an alleged home-repair scam.
Dusty L. Joles, 30, and Brandon G. Swartz, 20, were each sentenced to one year of probation, and must make restitution payments of $3,835, according to a ruling by Judge Richard Copeland.
Swartz and Joles were charged in the spring of 2007 with three counts each of first-degree burglary and two counts each of felony theft.
They were suspected of using a roof-repair ruse to gain entry to the homes of elderly residents in Joplin, then allegedly distracting the victims while stealing cash and checks from them.
They were also instructed not to have any further contact with the victims.