BANGOR, Maine — A Mattawamkeag man accused of helping his brother steal a truck, then lying under oath about his sibling’s role in the theft, was sentenced Thursday at the Penobscot Judicial Center to 18 months in prison with all but 90 days suspended.
Joshua Ladd, 32, pleaded guilty to one count each of theft, perjury, operating after suspension and two counts of violation of condition of release, according to Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy.
In addition to jail time, Ladd was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $750 in restitution. He also was ordered to pay a $250 fine on the operating after suspension charge.
Ladd has been at the Penobscot County Jail since his arrest May 16 after the sentencing of his brother on May 14.
Jon Ladd, 32, of Medway was sentenced to four years in prison with all but 18 months suspended followed by two years of probation for his role in the theft of a truck that the brothers stole and sold as junk in October 2013.
The brothers were indicted in January 2014 by the Penobscot County grand jury in connection with the Oct. 17, 2013, theft of a 1994 GMC pickup truck in East Millinocket, according to a previously published report. They had the truck towed to Ideal Recycling in Medway and sold it for $232.80.
The owner reported to police on Oct. 26, 2013, that the truck had been stolen. The reason for the delay in reporting the truck stolen is not explained in court documents.
The investigation led to the charges against Joshua and Jon Ladd.
The brothers pleaded not guilty to the charges in February 2014 and were released on bail with a condition that they not commit new crimes.
Jon Ladd’s jury-waived trial before Superior Court Justice William Anderson began Sept. 30, 2014, and continued on Dec. 11, 2014, according to the affidavit. Joshua Ladd testified in December that he and another man, who spends winters in Florida, had stolen the truck, not his brother.
After the older brother testified, the trial was continued until May so witnesses could be called to rebut his testimony, the affidavit that led to Ladd’s arrest said. The man the older brother said stole the truck with him testified that he was not involved in the theft. The tow truck driver previously testified that both brothers were with the truck when he took it to Ideal Recycling. The business owner also told the judge the brothers were with the truck when he took possession of it.
Joshua and Jon Ladd faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Joshua Ladd faced the same penalty on the perjury charge. He faces less than a year behind bars on the other counts.