Woman pleads guilty to felony burglary

MARENGO — A woman accused of burglary and damaging property in Marengo June 21 pleaded guilty to four felonies Aug. 5 and was ordered into a substance abuse program.

Brianna Sue Carter pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and burglary in the second degree, Class C felonies, and two counts of burglary in the third degree, Class D felonies, according to documents filed in Iowa County Aug. 5.

One count of theft in the fourth degree, a serious misdemeanor, was dismissed by the court at the cost of the defendant.

Carter was sentenced to up to five years for each count, two running concurrently. All sentence was suspended, and Carter was placed on supervised probation to the 6th Judicial District for three years.

The court ordered that Carter reside at a residential correctional facility for up to a year, complete a substance abuse evaluation within sixty days and follow treatment recommended by the evaluation.

The Court also suspended a $1,025 for each count.

“The Court finds the sentences imposed will offer Defendant the maximum opportunity for rehabilitation balanced against the need to protect the community,” the court filing said.

Carter initially pleaded not guilty to all five charges, and a jury trial was set for this month.

Carter was charged with criminal mischief in the first degree and burglary in the third degree for allegedly entering Iowa Valley Elementary School, destroying items and throwing paint and other items around, causing more than $10,000 of damage.

Carter was charged with burglary in the third degree for allegedly entering an apartment at 261 E. Main St. with the intent to commit theft, getting into the refrigerator of the empty apartment and leaving footprints and red paint transfers in the apartment.

Carter was charged with burglary in the second degree for allegedly entering the residence of Russell Smolik while people were in the house and taking items from the home.

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