‘Wire thieves deserve substantial prison terms’

Substantial prison penalties await copper wire thieves, according to Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman.

“It is this court’s position that the deterrence, retribution and incapacitation factors of sentencing should be of the utmost consideration, with a strong message sent out to those potential copper wire thieves and other offenders, that substantial penalties await them if they engage in these reckless and senseless criminal activities,” Wiseman said.

The judge issued the strong statement against copper wire thieves in his written order sentencing four persons—Roland Kaipat, Vicente Kaipat, Jeffrey C. Magofna, and John Santos Jr.—to prison.

The four were charged in connection with the stealing of copper wires from the former La Fiesta Mall in As Matuis on Nov. 20, 2007.

Wiseman noted the rampant activities of copper wire thieves in the community, victimizing many public facilities as well as private and commercial buildings.

“When someone dismantles copper wire from a building, residence or a public way or utility, the magnitude of the repercussions from such act is widespread,” he said.

He said the reckless conduct of copper wire thieves is perhaps due to the lack of a deterrent factor such as a substantial amount of jail time for perpetrators.

Wiseman ordered the brothers Vicente and Roland Kaipat to spend two years in prison for burglary and theft.

He placed the Kaipats on five years of supervised probation and required them, among other things, to pay $2,000 in restitution to the government and a $600 fine and court and assessment fee.

For Magofna, the judge sentenced him to five years in prison for burglary, theft, and illegal possession of a controlled substance in two cases. Wiseman gave Magofna credit for the 136 days he has already served in jail.

He placed Magofna on five years or probation and required him, among other things, to pay a $2,000 fine, and $600 in fine and court assessment fee.

With respect to Santos, the judge sentenced him to three years, all suspended except for one day, because he was only convicted of criminal mischief. Santos was given a one-day credit for the time he has already spent in jail.

He was ordered, however, to pay $2,000 in restitution and $525 in fine and court assessment fee.