Man accused of Ridgewood break-ins sentenced to prison Friday

A Springfield man accused of breaking into homes within the last year was sentenced to 8 years in prison Friday.

Jeffery Jenkins, 38, took a plea deal earlier this month and pleaded guilty to burglary in the second degree in Clark County Common Pleas Court. Jenkins told the court on Friday before he was sentenced that he was sorry.

“I’m ashamed,” he said.

READ: Two arrested in connection to Ridgewood break-ins

Clark County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard O’Neill said he wasn’t sure if Jenkins was actually remorseful for his crimes because of his lengthy rap sheet. Jenkins has had run-ins with the law since 1998, he said. O’Neill sentenced Jenkins and mandated he be put on three-years parole after he is released from prison.

Jenkins along with an accused accomplice, Roland Moore, 48, are accused of breaking into several homes in the Ridgewoodarea in April. Thousands of dollars worth of property was taken from the area, according to law enforcement.

O’Neill said before deciding Jenkins sentence that a 3-year-old girl had expressed that she was scared to go inside her home when she learned of the break-in and an elderly couple felt violated because of the burglary of their home.

Jenkins said he felt bad about the victims, adding he planned on writing an apology letter to them when or if the no-contact order expires.

REALTED: Suspects in Ridgewood break-ins appear in Clark County court

Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Driscoll said Jenkins has hurt law-abiding residents with his crimes. He said he understood that Jenkins was suffering from addiction and said he hoped Jenkins would recover, but Driscoll said there was no excuse for the break-ins.

“We must punish him now and that’s with a lengthy prison sentence,” Driscoll said in court.

Defense Attorney Kyle Lennen asked the court to be lenient with his client because he was addicted at the time. He said his client and the community would be best served if he was offered drug rehabilitation.

MORE: Clark County Municipal Court cases

Jenkin’s alleged accomplice, Moore, is set to be sentenced Tuesday.

About the Author