Burr Oak man sentenced to 15 years in prison

District Court Judge Margaret Lingreen has sentenced a Burr Oak man to 15 years in prison.

Mark Schroeder had entered guilty pleas to three criminal charges--third degree burglary for a break-in at Silver Springs Golf Course in Ossian last July and two counts of second degree theft for taking material from Voltmer Electric in Decorah.

Schroeder earlier this year entered a guilty plea to the charges--but then failed to show up for a sentencing hearing.  Authorities issued a search warrant for Schroeder and then took him into custody a few days later at his home in Burr Oak.

Judge Lingreen imposed a 15-year prison term on the third degree burglary charge and another 15-year prison term on the two third degree burglary charges, but ordered the prison terms to run concurrently.  She also imposed over $2,200 in fines.  Schroeder was immediately taken to prison.

Judge Lingreen ordered that Schroeder could not apply for probation during the first three years of his prison term.