CASSOPOLIS — The last in a trio of teenagers behind a series of breaking-ins in Milton Township faced his sentencing Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Niles resident William Newton, 17, to a two-year probation sentence and a suspended 90-day jail sentence. If Newton complies with probation, he will avoid the jail time.

Newton also was granted Holmes Youthful Trainee Status, which will allow him to avoid having the felony on his record if he successful completes the program.

That came despite the prosecution’s argument against granting him the status.

“The defendant was one of three who broke into houses and cars, causing havoc and distrust in Milton Township,” said Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle.

The break-in spree occurred the night of Feb. 23 and the early morning hours of Feb. 24 when Newton, along with Kyle Kelley and Matthew Bricker, broke into and stole property from several barns, sheds and cars near Follmer Road in Milton Township.

Defense attorney Peter Johnson argued for leniency given his client’s young age.

“Sometimes young offenders, their brains don’t fully mature until age 25,” Johnson said.

For his part, Newton didn’t make any excuses.

“The word sorry doesn’t seem good enough,” Newton said. “My mom taught us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Now I understand what that means … I let a lot of people down, including myself.”

Dodge warned Newton if he doesn’t comply with probation that he will face incarceration.

His co-defendants, Kelley and Bricker, were also sentenced to two-year probation terms last month. Bricker was sentenced to 150 days in jail, while Kelley received a 300-day jail sentence.

Newton was also ordered to complete summer school and complete 100 hours of community service.

Another man involved in home invasions in Milton Township, Jesus Mendoza of Greencastle, Ind., avoided a prison sentence Friday.

The prosecution fashioned a plea bargain having calculated a five- to 34-month sentencing guideline range, which would have given the judge the option of sending him to prison. But when Dodge discovered his guideline range was actually 0 to 17 months, he had no other option than to sentence Mendoza to time served.

It was three years ago when Mendoza broke into a Milton Township home by breaking a back window, stealing a television and computer. He injured himself when breaking the window, leaving blood at the crime scene, which investigators used as evidence to convict him.

Mendoza is currently serving a prison sentence in Indiana for another string of home invasions.