Former administrator given deferred sentence

WELLMAN ? The former city administrator of Wellman, Mark Baker, was given a deferred sentence for fifth-degree theft from District Associate Judge Crystal Cronk last week. Baker will be on probation for one year, and if he does not violate his probation during that time the fifth-degree theft charge will be expunged from his record.

Baker initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a bottle of aspirin from a convenience store in December. However, on April 27 he changed his plea to guilty and asked for a deferred judgment, which he was granted during a sentencing hearing May 16. Baker was ordered to pay fees such as a civil penalty of $100, legal expense insurance of $125 and restitution of $10.69 to Freeman Foods in Wellman for the bottle of aspirin.

Baker was arrested for fifth-degree theft Jan. 3 following the Washington County Sheriff Department?s review of surveillance video from Freeman Foods taken Dec. 16, 2011. The video allegedly showed Baker take a Bayer aspirin box from the shelf, open the box, and put the bottle from the box inside his coat pocket. Baker then allegedly attempted to hide the empty box behind other products on the shelf. The video shows Baker leaving the store without paying for the $10.69 bottle of aspirin.              Fifth-degree theft is a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $625 fine.

Baker began working as the city administrator for Wellman in October 2011. The Wellman City Council voted unanimously to fire Baker at its meeting Jan. 9, after his arrest.