Urbana man with long record gets 14 years in Savoy home burglaries
Oct. 10—URBANA — An Urbana man whose attorney portrayed him as a drug addict who was stealing to support his habit is headed to prison in a case related to two home burglaries this summer in Savoy.
Michael Anderson, 33, who formerly listed an address in the 2000 block of Fletcher Street, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Randy Rosenbaum to 14 years in prison for being an armed habitual criminal.
Anderson, who pleaded guilty to the charge in July, will get credit for the 467 days he's already served. Under truth-in-sentencing laws, he'll have to serve 85 percent of his sentence.
At Anderson's sentencing, Champaign County sheriff's Detective Brad Wakefield testified that he was dispatched to two homes in Savoy in May and June where a burglar had entered through a garage and stole credit cards that were used to buy several items, including Nintendo video-game systems.
Wakefield said he traced pawn-shop records for the game systems using their serial numbers, which led to the discovery of Anderson as the person who pawned the devices. In all, Wakefield said, Anderson pawned 17 game systems and appeared to be working with a girlfriend who wasn't named in the hearing.
A search warrant was obtained for a home where Anderson was believed to be living, where police found a gun in a box linked to Anderson.
Anderson's mother, Darlene Anderson of Urbana, testified that she doesn't condone what her son did, but he is a good person with unresolved issues related to having been adopted.
"He has never hurt anyone," she said.
Assistant State's Attorney Dan Taylor asked for a sentence of 27 years based in part on Anderson's significant criminal history.
Anderson's attorney, Ed Piraino, asked for a sentence closer to the six-year minimum, saying the gun in this case was in a home in a box, not being carried by his client.
Piraino portrayed Anderson as a drug addict who stole to support his habit.
"This is a typical drug problem gone awry," he said.
Anderson asked the judge for leniency and compassion and said he'd realized in the last year that his parents and children have been growing older while he's been in jail.
"I want to apologize for my behavior," he said.
Rosenbaum said that while Anderson pleaded guilty and has three children, a history of alcohol and drug use and people who sent letters of support for him, he also has a prior record and has been in and out of prison.
"He's essentially doing life on the installment plan," the judge said.
Rosenbaum also said he didn't know if Anderson carried a gun during the burglaries or if the homeowners had guns but that residential burglaries include the potential for harm.
