Man stole $75,000 from family who took him in after drug conviction.
PITTSFIELD — A 28-year-old Pittsfield man was sentenced to serve two years in jail Thursday after he was found guilty of breaking and entering and larceny charges in Berkshire Superior Court.
The Berkshire Eagle reports that Scott Van Zandt entered a guilty plea to charges he stole $75,000 from relatives who took him in while he was on probation for an earlier drug charge.
Assistant District Attorney Robert W. Kinzer III had asked for a two to three year sentence in state prison, telling the court that Van Zandt had failed to adhere to probation requirements in the past. Kinzer said it was unlikely Van Zandt would be able to pay restitution if placed on probation. However, the defense asked for county jail time saying the defendant would be eligible for drug rehab services, and would be closer to family than if sentenced to a state facility.