CARTHAGE, Mo. —
The former owner of a motorcycle and scooter shop convinced a judge on Friday to assess the burglar who ripped off his business the night of the Joplin tornado some shock time in prison.
Circuit Judge David Mouton sentenced Jake A. Busby, 27, at a hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court to two concurrent seven-year terms on convictions for second-degree burglary and theft.
The judge sentenced the defendant under a state shock-incarceration program, meaning he must serve 120 days in prison before he can be brought back before the judge for possible placement on probation.
The probation and parole office had recommended in a sentencing-assessment report that Busby, who has no other felony convictions, receive a suspended sentence and community-based punishment. But Shane Smith, former owner of Smith Family Powersports, asked in a victim-impact statement that the judge consider shock incarceration instead for the defendant.
Busby broke in to the shop at 2201 E. Seventh St. the night of May 22, 2011, and stole several motorcycles, scooters and tools.
“In the course of one night, you destroyed our business,” Smith told Busby at the hearing.
About $20,000 worth of property was taken in the break-in, and little was recovered, Smith said. When his insurance covered just $3,000 of the loss, he was forced to lay off employees and close the shop. Smith told the court that Busby has shown no remorse and instead harassed his family with restraining orders in the year since the crime.
Busby apologized to the Smiths when he took the witness stand at the hearing.
“I wasn’t even thinking that night,” he said.
He had just lost his job, his wife was pregnant and he was worried about supporting her and his son, he said.
“I wish I could take it back,” Busby said. “I wish I could smack myself in the face.”
John Nicholas, assistant prosecutor, said the amount of restitution the defendant would owe if the court were to place him on probation would be $17,300.
“I have serious concerns about this defendant’s ability to pay (that),” Nicholas said.
The judge decided that the defendant should receive shock-incarceration time and that he would address the matter of restitution if or when he eventually is granted probation.
Guilty plea
Jake Busby pleaded guilty in July to burglary and theft in a plea agreement that dropped three other counts of theft that he was facing in the break-in at Smith Family Powersports.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Judge imposes shock incarceration on tornado burglar
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Attorney general files suit against California contractor
Attorney General Chris Koster on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a California man, alleging he failed to provide construction materials and home repair services that had been paid for by victims of the Joplin tornado.
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Employees of local businesses chip in again with Rebuild Joplin
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Joplin board issues remainder of $62 million in bonds
The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday authorized the sale of $27 million in bonds to help pay for the rebuilding of schools destroyed by the 2011 tornado.
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Joplin’s rebuilding numbers show no signs of letting up
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Building permits totaling about $766 million have been issued by the city of Joplin since the May 2011 tornado. That includes $51 million in the five months since November, which marks the beginning of the city’s fiscal year. -
State allocation would repair Joplin curbs, gutters
Joplin would receive $15 million to repair and replace damaged curbs and guttering under a bill approved by the state Senate. The bill has been sent to the House for debate this week before a final decision is made by the Legislature.
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VIDEO: Youth group builds home to be assembled in Joplin
When the trucks from Elgin, Ill., roll into Joplin in early June, they will be carrying more than just volunteers and a lot of good will. The youth group from Elgin’s First United Methodist Church also will come bearing a house. The group first traveled to Joplin in July 2011 and helped with debris cleanup after the May 22 tornado. In October of that year, the group returned to help a resident put siding on her house.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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