By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

CASSOPOLIS – Nathan Reed should consider himself lucky with the sentencing he received on Friday if the allegations his father made in Cass County Circuit Court are true.

Steven Reed told the court during his son’s sentencing that he had stolen more than $100,000 in property from his home, mainly to fuel a drug and alcohol addiction.

Nathan, an 18-year-old from Niles, was given a three-month jail sentence on a conviction of larceny of $1,000 to $20,000 for stealing two pieces of jewelry, valued at more than $12,000, from his father’s home on Yankee Street in Niles.

Reed gave the jewelry to a friend, who pawned the items for a paltry $200-300.

Steven said the charges his son was facing are just the beginning of the theft he has committed against the family. He alleged that Nathan had stolen other expensive family heirloom jewelry items, including rubies and diamonds, along with rare coins. Steven also accused his son of taking his mother’s ATM card and withdrawing thousands of dollars.

“Nathan has progressively been advancing down the wrong path,” Steven said. “The kid is not learning one bit. It sickens me to think that he’d (go to jail) for 50-some odd days and be released.”

Prosecutor Victor Fitz said the charges against Nathan appear to be “just the tip of the iceberg.”

“His father’s words may have been harsh but they were deserved,” Fitz said. “Even though he doesn’t get along with his father, he is lucky to have one in his life. It’s time for him to man up and do the right things.”

Defense attorney Lawrence Quigley pointed out that Nathan is just a teenager and has no prior convictions.

Nathan was apologetic in his statement before the court.

“I made a lot of mistakes,” he said. “I apologize and take responsibility for it. I’m trying to advance myself and I do have goals.”

One of the probation terms that Judge Michael Dodge ordered was that Nathan seek employment.

“You quit school and haven’t had a work history. I’m not sure what you’re doing with your time,” Dodge said. “I hope you would want to do more with your life.”