After stealing thousands in cash, man walks in plea deal

Jesse Miller walks swiftly out of a Strafford County Superior Court room at the conclusion of his plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday. (Lebanon Voice photo)

DOVER - A Rochester man guilty of stealing thousands of dollars from a Farmington company that employed him escaped jail on Wednesday but not before his former employer excoriated him for his betrayal of trust and a judge told him the fact that he stole cash, not traceable assets, might be the only thing that saved him from possible jail time.

Jesse Miller, 33, of 29 Forest Ave., who had worked as a valued employee for Chestnut Hill Chimney and Hearth in Farmington, pleaded guilty to a single count of Class A Misdemeanor theft by unauthorized taking in a plea deal that sentenced him to the full year but suspended the sentence for two years upon good behavior.

Miller, who was indicted in November on a felony count on the same charge that could've drawn up to 15 years in state prison, opted to make no statement of remorse or apology to the court and victims in the case, but Chestnut Hill Chimney co-owner Laura Jones made her thoughts known in a victim impact statement, saying she and her husband had bent over backwards to help Miller, sometimes giving him cash in advance and other favors when he needed help while employed by the business.

Jones said it was especially troubling that she and her entire family had placed so much trust in Miller and this was how he repaid them, by stealing.

Strafford Superior Court Judge Mark E. Howard added that considering the amount of money stolen over almost a full year, some jail time would normally be considered but pointed to the problem of prosecutors proving the case at trial given the fact what had been stolen was cash, not checks or other traceable instruments.

He also told Miller if he doesn't abide by a restitution agreement, "You will go to jail."

"I think he should've gotten some jail time," Jones said after the plea and sentencing hearing at Strafford County Superior Court.

Prosecutor Kathryn A. Smykowski said Miller will also have to have an evaluation for alcohol and substance abuse and follow any course of action prescribed by counselors as part of the plea agreement.

The amount of restitution is between $7,000-$10,000, with a cap of $10,000, Smykowski said, adding that a hearing will be scheduled in 60 days to come up with a firm number.

If the prosecution and Miller and his defense lawyer can't come to an agreement on an amount, a judge will decide the final figure.