A 20-year-old Sugarcreek man convicted of his fourth felony offense asserted he is “a good kid” Thursday, August 4 in Holmes County Common Pleas Court.

Russell T. Young, 20, of 4610 Township Road 422, was sentenced by Holmes County Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret to one year in prison on two counts of breaking and entering. The charges stem from a crime spree in Holmes, Tuscarawas and Stark counties March 13-14. In Holmes County, Young, Michael T. Gnagy, 18, and Dennis G. Nicholas, 18, both of 14684 Navarre Road, Wilmot, broke into four businesses, getting away with a small amount of cash. A $1,105 restitution figure mostly represents property damage.

The three men were drinking and using acid at the time of the burglaries.

Gnagy has pleaded to related charges and is currently at large, having failed to appear for his August 4 sentencing hearing. Nicholas is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 8.

Young’s attorney, Jeff Kellogg, said his client has a drug and alcohol problem and asked Rinfret to give Young a chance to get help through residential treatment at Stark Regional Community Corrections Center.

Young asked for a break.

“I just want to apologize for wasting your time,” Young said. “I’m a good kid. That’s all I am, a kid.”

Rinfret said Young burned his bridges with SRCCC after failing to appear for two intake assessments. Rinfret further noted that Young has a criminal history dating back to his teens, having been convicted of resisting arrest in 2005. Young has further been convicted of felonious assault, grand theft, burglary, and escape.

And Young will likely appear before Rinfret again soon, having been charged by the Holmes County Sheriff in an alleged August 1 burglary.

“There’s nothing I can do for you here,” Rinfret said. “You’re a young man, that’s what we have Stark Regional for (and) you blew off Stark Regional.”

Rinfret further ordered Young to pay restitution.