A man who pawned his parents’ property for heroin will serve 75 days in the Berrien County Jail for the crime.

Nathan Adams, 31, of Niles, pleaded guilty as charged to larceny in a building on July 12. He was sentenced by Judge Angela Pasula in Berrien Country Trial Court on Monday morning.

According to court documents, Adams took a number of items without permission from his parents’ home and sold them to World Wide Pawn in South Bend. Adams’ father found eight pawn slips for the items in Adams’ wallet and called the police to report the crime. The slips were dated April 27 and showed that Adams sold a diamond engagement ring, chainsaw, cordless drill, pressure washer, lawn trimmer and mixed brand set of golf clubs. The items were worth a total of $370.

Standing before Pasula in a green jump suit, Adams said that being sent to jail for the crime had likely saved his life. Adams said that he had struggled with his addiction to heroin and that being in jail had allowed for him to get clean and sober.

“I apologize to my dad and my family,” Adams said. “I did not know how to stop [my addiction]. Even though I am in jail, this is the best I have ever felt.”

Adams asked the judge to give him a chance to start fresh as a person who is sober.

“Heroin is a thing of the past,” Adams said. “I am ready to get out there and lead a productive life.”

Pasula criticized Adams for callously taking advantage of people who cared for him.

“You violated their [the victims’] trust,” Pasula said. “You took money for their property and bought heroin.”

Adams has one prior jail sentence on his record for a criminal sexual conduct conviction.

Pasula reminded Adams that illicit drug use was his choice and that the path to recovery was going to take commitment.

“It is encouraging that you want to change,” Pasula said. “But it is going to take more than words to do so.”

In addition to his jail sentence, Adams will serve three years of probation and was ordered to complete the Swift and Sure program. Adams has credit for 47 days in jail. He will pay $318.73 in restitution.

“I want to make sure he’s clean and sober and gets the fresh start he needs,” Pasula said. “Do not come back.”

The rest of the sentencings were rescheduled for Tuesday morning due to a power outage that occurred on Monday morning.