Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW OSF season attendance down slightly because of wildfire smoke ... Invasive species tui chub discovered at Diamond Lake ... Volunteers try to protect iconic Haystack Rock ... OSF season attendance down slightly because of wildfire smoke ... Invasive species tui chub discovered at Diamond Lake ... Volunteers try to protect iconic Haystack Rock ... BURGLARY Man gets probation for counterfeiting, theft of guns AR-15 among weapons stolen A man pleaded guilty Tuesday in three criminal cases involving the theft of guns and possession of heroin and counterfeit money. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 3, 2015 at 2:57 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 3, 2015 at 2:57 PM » Social News A man living in the Green Springs area got more than he bargained for when he showed his weapon collection to acquaintances who later came back and stole an AR-15 military-style rifle, three other rifles and a pistol. The two acquaintances also stole computers, a bow and other sporting goods during the Aug. 28 burglary in the 14000 block of Highway 66 east of Ashland, according to court documents. Nima Sedaghaty Blue, 26, of Portland pleaded guilty Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court to first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He had previously been convicted of possession of heroin, a felony. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument after police received a report of counterfeit money inside a book at a hotel in 2013. Police found $20, $50 and $100 bills plus printers. Blue and an accomplice had spent some of the counterfeit money at Foot Locker and other local businesses, according to court testimony Tuesday. In a third case dating from 2013, Blue pleaded guilty to possession of heroin after police received a report of a man asleep in a car for four days in Ashland. A police officer and police dog found the drugs, according to an affidavit. Blue was sentenced Tuesday to five years probation and was allowed to enter drug treatment court. If he fails to comply with treatment court requirements, he will be sent to prison for four years and two months. "I don't want to be addicted to drugs," Blue said in court. Defense attorney Justin Rosas said Blue was aware he was a heroin addict, but he didn't have the ability to defeat his addiction on his own. Rosas said drug treatment court is the best option for Blue. "We're trying to save his life," Rosas said. According to court testimony and affidavits, the Green Springs burglary victim knew Blue and an accomplice from high school and had let them into his home before the burglary. The victim had shown the men his firearms, where they were located and the key to his gun safe. After the burglary, the victim tracked the burglars to the Rodeway Inn in Ashland. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department responded and found the accomplice in the room and Blue hiding behind a door leading into the room, according to an affidavit. Numerous items belonging to the victim were found in the room, including guns and computers. Heroin was also discovered, the affidavit said. Accomplice Adam Kyle Bennett, 26, of the 3500 block of Siskiyou Boulevard in Ashland, was convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm in September. Bennett was sentenced to five years probation and allowed to enter drug treatment court, although his participation in treatment court has been complicated by a warrant from outside Jackson County, according to court documents and testimony on Tuesday. He is a fugitive from a drug case in Minnesota, according to court documents. Also in September, Bennett was sentenced to 60 days in jail for fleeing or attempting to elude police and 60 days in jail for heroin possession, according to court records. Bennett remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail. His bail is set at $250,000 for the fugitive case, jail records show. He has an extradition court hearing scheduled for Nov. 13, according to court records. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 3, 2015 at 2:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501