GREENVILLE — A New Madison man will spend at least four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony offenses.
Terry Goodpaster, 32, appeared Monday in Darke County Common Pleas Court to enter guilty pleas, following which he was sentenced by Judge Jonathan P. Hein. He was represented by defense attorney Randall Breaden.
Goodpaster was accused of twice burglarizing a family that had taken him into their home and sought to mentor him following a prior stint in prison. Goodpaster possesses an extensive criminal history, having spent nearly half his life in prison.
Three others helped Goodpaster commit the burglaries — Tesla Fox, Michael Bowles and Peter Cheadle. His co-defendants still await their day in court.
As part of a plea agreement reached with the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office, Goodpaster agreed to plead guilty to three third-degree felony counts — two counts of burglary, and one count of grand theft of a firearm. The prosecution agreed to drop one count of receiving stolen property, one grand theft charge, and one count of drug possession.
Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Quigley told the court the burglaries were particularly egregious as Goodpaster victimized the family that had sought to help him leave behind a life of crime and addiction.
“His way of paying them back was committing a breaking and entering of their business and stealing thousands of dollars of property, back then. This family continued to try to assist the defendant when he went to prison for that offense. When he gets out of prison, they open their home and try to assist him,” she said.
Goodpaster and his co-defendants burglarized the family’s home twice, stealing firearms, money, jewelry, computer equipment, then used the goods to purchase drugs. A third residence was also robbed.
Judge Hein sentenced Goodpaster to eight and a half years in prison, with four years suspended. He must pay $28,578.02 in restitution to cover what insurance did not cover, and pay $500 to cover an insurance deductible for the breaking and entering at another residence. He will be subject to community control for five years upon release and must also pay court costs.
Others were also sentenced in court Monday.
Michelle Caulfield, 33, of Piqua, was sentenced to five years of community control, 33 days in jail with 33 days credited, ordered to pay $635 in restitution, a $5,000 mandatory fine, court costs, and perform 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to aggravated drug possession and aggravated methamphetamine trafficking.
Kerstan Nischwitz, 19, of Greenville, will be on community control for five years after pleading guilty to a breaking and entering charge. He must also pay court costs, restitution of $132.21 and perform 75 hours of community service.
