A Colorado transplants temporary stay in Cassopolis got at least several months longer on Friday.

Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Levi Don Schuckman, 22, to 180 days in county jail along with two years worth of probation during his sentencing hearing that morning. Shuckman had pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering with intent during an earlier appearance in court, on Dec. 30.

The charges stem from a rash of burglaries committed by the man back on Dec. 15. At around midnight that day, Shuckman broke into the Rite Aid Pharmacy located on E. State Street in the village by smashing in one of the front windows, stealing liquor and cigarettes from the store shelves. Three hours later, he continued his spree, using a large landscaping rock to break open the front glass door of a nearby Marathon gas station.

“Just as with the Rite Aid Pharmacy break-in, you then entered the station and stole some cigarettes and some beer,” Dodge said.

Shuckman’s night of crime was spurred on by his heavy drinking hours the previous day. He had recently moved to the area from Aurora, Colorado, for an extended visit, Dodge said.

“That visit unfortunately resulted in you getting drunk on this occasion and committee two ten-year felonies,” Dodge said. “Not a very good visit.”

In his comments to the court, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz asked the judge to impose a jail sentence on the defendant, due in part to the amount damage he inflicted on the local businesses.

“These are fragile economic times,” Fitz said. “When somebody such as Mr. Shuckman does these things, these smash and grabs for beer and smokes, it’s a not a good thing for business and it also has a very negative effect on the community.”

Shuckman’s attorney, Gregory Feldman, said that his client was so heavily intoxicated at the time that the memory of his actions is very foggy. Shuckman has been dealing with problems relating to alcohol and marijuana use for a while now, his lawyer continued.

“He understands that unless he resolves his underlying problem with alcohol and any other substances that flow from it, he’s going to find himself back to where he is right now, because it leads to no good,” Feldman said.

The judge also pointed out this problem before handing down his sentence, saying that Shuckman was exhibiting signs of alcoholism.

“When you’re able to get drunk enough to where you can’t even remember what all you did, that’s a strong indication you have a problem with alcohol abuse,” Dodge said.

Shuckman was given 68 days credit for time already served.