Many, many violations leads to prison time

Brian L. Bearhart, 29, of Webster, had a variety of open criminal charges, over 40 in total, that were finally addressed in an October plea deal, where many of the charges were dismissed or read-in for sentencing, including approximately 30 felony bond jumping charges since 2019. Bearhart stood accused of multiple crimes, from multiple charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, to several charges of attempting to elude police, three felony charges of first and second-degree reckless endangering, resisting arrest, several firearms violations, failure to comply with officers, drug paraphernalia possession, theft, disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child, failure to comply in custody, retail theft and more. 

His cases seemed to compound in the last three years, and finally reached a global resolve with the October plea deal, where he agreed to plead guilty to three felony charges of possessing a firearm as a felon, felony fleeing police, failure to comply with officers in custody, and two counts of felony bond jumping – with over three dozen other felony charges being dismissed or read-in for sentencing.

Bearhart was slated to be sentenced earlier last month, but issues with his defense attorney, Cheryl Gill, not being present delayed that until last Friday.

Judge Melissia Mogen sentenced Bearhart on the nine remaining charges he pleaded guilty to, forcing him to serve a minimum of five years in state prison on the multiple firearm possession charges, with most of the remaining charges being imposed and stayed or to be served concurrently within that five years. He will serve no less than 15 years of extended supervision upon his release. 

However, he does have several charges that may be reinstated if he falters, with at least two of the imposed and stayed firearm charges including five years of probation, but possibly another eight years in prison if he does not comply with the terms of his release. 

Judge Mogen ordered Bearhart to sit at least three years in prison before he can participate in several programs and counseling services, although he must attend mental health evaluation and counseling. He also forfeited $12,500 in previous cash bonds, due to his continued and repeated failures to comply with the terms of his bonds. He has been in jail for nearly a year already, which will be applied to his sentence.