A man who broke into multiple storage units in Monongalia County was sentenced Thursday and has a final chance to get clean of drugs.
Fred Rohr, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering in August. He broke into storage units at the Bakers Ridge Storage, on Bakers Ridge Road, and Guard Dog Storage, on Cheat Road.
His sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 24, but Rohr was on a “bender” and didn’t show up, his attorney David Grunau said.
He was arrested the next day after probation found out where he was staying and found him hiding under a pile of clothes, Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Fitz said. Rohr has been in jail since.
“I know it sounds like I should throw the book at him but for some reason I am not convinced I should do that,” Judge Susan Tucker said.
Rohr, who appeared at his sentencing from North Central Regional Jail by video, said since he’s been clean in jail, he’s realized some of the things he stole can’t be replaced.
“I just feel bad about some of the stuff I did,” he said.
Tucker ordered the two 1-10 year prison sentences be run consecutively.
However, once Grunau finds an in-patient treatment program for Rohr, Tucker will sign an order allowing him to go.
Tucker said the best treatment would be a one-year, in-patient program, however those are “few and far between.” Rohr must attend a minimum of 28 days in-patient and have a pathway going forward after involving a sober living house, which Tucker said she’s heard good things about.
“Either deal with this addiction or you will force me to send you to prison,” Tucker said. “Do you understand that? For some reason I think you are salvageable so why don’t you prove me right?”
She warned Rohr that she was at the end of her graciousness and she would not have a choice but to send him to prison if he didn’t do what needed to be done.
Rohr said he was serious about getting clean.
Tucker wished him luck at the end of the hearing.
