Rice sentenced to probation
Pleaded no contest to larceny
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HOUGHTON -- Judge Brittany Bulleit granted 12 months of probation to 23-year old Keweenaw County resident Cameron Rice for larceny over $1,000 and under $20,000. Rice was charged with one count of larceny, when he stole someone's identity to steal someone else's money, Judge Bulleit said. Rice pled no contest to the charge.
Keweenaw County Prosecutor Charles Miller said the crime committed affected more than just one person. "It was accomplished in a way that made another person, who was innocent, appear to be guilty," he said.
Rice's attorney, Joshua Makkonen, said his client's record showed this was not a normal occurrence. "Mr. Rice had a very mild record before the conduct that occurred here," he said. "I think the recommendations are pretty well-tailored towards impressing upon the seriousness of what he did here."
Rice's pre-sentence guidelines called for 0-9 months, under Michigan's intermediate sanction, meaning Rice would be favored to receive no jail time under this statute.
Rice has to pay $1,380 in restitution to the victim of the crime and have no contact with him.
Judge Bulleit said she is giving Rice another chance. "You put your own personal gain over another person's hard-earned money, over the safety and security they should have in their identity," she said. "One of the worst things you can take from somebody."