Burglar sentenced to Montana State Prison

A man convicted of six counts in the burglary of a Heron business has been sentenced to the Montana State Prison after spending almost a year in the Sanders County Jail.

Brandon Bricker received a 10-year Montana State Prison sentence with five years suspended. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher also required Bricker to pay restitution for the items stolen and the district court trial.

A jury in April found Bricker guilty of all charges, including felony burglary, three counts of misdemeanor theft and two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief.

On May 26, 2017, Elk Creek Contracting reported missing items including a plasma cutter, welder, keys and a bucket of change. The business provided security footage from the scene.

During his sentencing on Tuesday, Bricker apologized to the court, the Fitchett’s (who own Elk Creek Contracting) and to Sanders County.

“I hurt my loved ones and let a lot of people down,” Bricker said. “I want to make things right and move forward.”

Bricker’s attorney, Thane Johnson, had argued for a three-year sentence with the Department of Corrections so that Bricker can address other legal matters in Washington.

“Brandon cannot change his past,” Johnson said. “As an addict, it’s a day-to-day battle. He can only change his future. He has decided to accept this day-to-day battle.”

Judge Christopher said she appreciated that Bricker is willing to take responsibility for his actions, “but these people will never feel safe. You never get that back with a burglary.”

Bricker was given credit for 306 days served in the Sanders County Jail.

Also in court on Tuesday, Patricia Day of Thompson Falls made her initial appearance, pleading not guilty to a charge of felony criminal endangerment. Day faces a maximum penalty of $50,000 fine and 10 years in prison.

On May 24, 2018, the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a domestic issue from a home on Prospect Creek Road. In charging documents, Day’s husband Ron alleged that she pulled out a revolver she keeps in her recliner and fired it at him in his recliner. Officers who responded reported in charging documents that two bullet holes were in the victim’s recliner.

Day is being held at the Sanders County Jail with bail set at $250,000.