GREENVILLE — The last of three men charged in a series of burglaries in Bradford this spring was sentenced to prison time Monday afternoon in Darke County Common Pleas Court.

Shane Austin Sargent, 19, of Gettysburg, entered guilty pleas in July to one count of burglary, a third-degree felony, and one count of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony.

In April, Sargent was arrested with two others, Alex Michael Schmidt, of Piqua, and Gabe Ferguson, of Bradford, as suspects in several area break-ins.

Sargent also pleaded guilty to an amended charge of importuning, a fifth-degree felony, for an unrelated case in March. He was originally charged in that case with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Sargent to register as a Tier I sex offender for 15 years, which is required by law under his guilty plea on the importuning charge. Hein ordered Sargent to pay court costs only for the importuning, as well as the breaking and entering. For the burglary charge, Sargent was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with credit for 132 days already served.

The state recommended 18 months in prison on the three charges.

Sargent’s defense attorney, David Rohrer, asked the court to take into consideration Sargent’s mental health issues — he has been diagnosed as bipolar — as well as his “severe drug problem.” The motive for the burglaries for all three men indicted was to support their drug habits.

Sargent reportedly has had difficulties in jail showing respect for authorities and following orders.

Sargent told the court before his sentencing, “I know I need help and I’m willing to do it — anything it takes to get out of here.”