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Repeat theft defendant Richard Herrin pleads guilty, walks free
FOX 26 first told you about Richard Herrin in a Breaking Bond report last July. He's a career thief caught on camera several times stealing from businesses north of downtown. FOX 26's Randy Wallace explains.
HOUSTON - FOX 26 first told you about Richard Herrin in a Breaking Bond report last July. He's a career thief caught on camera several times stealing from businesses north of downtown.
What they're saying:
He's been stealing from business owner, Layne Sailer, for some time.
"Breaks into mailboxes, steals Amazon packages, trespasses daily," Layne said.
After our first report aired, Herrin's bond was set at $20,000 for his most recent felony theft charge, the highest it's ever been.
Richard Herrin
If Herrin could have made the bond, he would have had to wear a GPS tracking device.
On Tuesday, Herrin pleaded guilty to felony theft and walked out a free man.
The judge used 1244a, a rule that allows judges to sentence felony theft defendants to county jail instead of state jail. Its a huge win for defendants, who usually must serve every day of their sentence in state jail.
County jail is three to one, meaning defendants get three days credit for everyday they serve.
"Every one of his cases in the last eight years has been 1244a," Layne said. "It's a slap in the face."
Lawmakers are expected to propose a new law in the upcoming session enhancing punishment for defendants who are convicted of felony theft three or more times in the same year.
It would become continuous felony theft, a 3rd degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of two to ten years in prison.
The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with business owner, Layne Sailer.