A California man was recently sentenced to probation after stealing an ATM machine in Jefferson.

According to court documents, 39-year-old Jorge Palacios pled guilty to a Class C Felony for first degree theft, non-habitual offender. District Court Judge Angela Doyle suspended a ten year prison sentence and placed him on probation for five years with the Iowa Department of Corrections.

The charge stemmed from an incident on January 28th. Palacios and another suspect, 52-year-old Richard Harris of Marshalltown, entered Wild Rose Casino through the Cobblestone entrance and stole an ATM machine, which was later recovered in Story City at the home of 42-year-old Steven Curvin, who helped to break open the machine. Palacios and Harris were later found driving another vehicle when it was stopped on January 29th by authorities.

During the sentence hearing, Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn advocated for the maximum punishment of ten years in prison, due to the nature of the crime, his criminal history of being a previously convicted felon and that there was still an outstanding arrest warrant from California. Palacios’ defense attorney advocated for the suspended sentence and probation. 

Palacios was also ordered to pay over $13,000 in victim restitution, fines, surcharges, court-appointed attorney fees and court costs. He also had his other charges, including felonies for second degree criminal mischief and second degree theft dismissed.