Burglar says she's a victim, too

A couple accused of committing 21 burglaries in a three-month spree was sentenced to prison Monday for crimes the victims said robbed them of their sense of security in their own homes.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced Timothy Morgan, 21, to two seven-year terms in prison with parole eligibility in two years on each charge.

His sentences are to be served consecutively which means he faces up to 14 years in prison.

Co-defendant Vanessa Bresida Gomez, 19, was sentenced to two five-year terms with parole eligibility in 12 months on each count. Her sentences are to be served concurrently. She could be eligible for parole in a year.

They pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary in an agreement with the district attorney's office.

They are accused of committing the burglaries throughout Carson Valley in March, April and May before they were apprehended.

The crimes were allegedly committed to finance the defendants' drug use.

Five victims offered statements Monday prior to sentencing.

"I just don't understand why they feel they can go into a person's home and steal their treasured items," said JoAnn Peck.

She said the couple stole a gold Japanese medallion which they had melted down.

"They rifled through my personal items and took jewelry and coins - things that can never be replaced not even with insurance," Peck said.

"It's my understanding you were wearing my earrings when you were arrested," Peck said, addressing Gomez.

She asked for the maximum - up to 20 years.

"They need to feel the pain and suffering they caused other people. We don't feel safe in our homes," said Peck, who has moved to Phoenix since the burglary.

According to reports, Morgan gained entry to the homes by kicking in a side door. Gomez acted as the lookout and pawned the stolen property.

One victim, who lives alone, said the burglars jumped over a padlocked fence to kick their way into her home.

"The biggest loss was that my sense of security was breached," she said.

She told Gibbons that when she arrived home, a bedroom door was closed and she didn't know if intruders still were in the house.

"The violation of your sense of security, it's huge," she said. "I had trouble sleeping. I lost a day of work to get the door fixed. I was worried. Were they going to come back?"

Victim David Henry said his three children, ages 5-12, witnessed deputies arriving at his home with weapons drawn looking for the burglars.

"My daughter had trouble sleeping. She kept waking up in the middle of the night. No child should have to experience that," Henry said.

He said he forgave Gomez and Morgan and felt they had "repentant hearts."

Henry also disclosed that he had been in trouble before and knew how it felt "to sit in that seat."

"It's very hard to clean up the wreckage, but I want you guys to know you are forgiven for what you did to my household. I hope you make the right choices," Henry said.

Shelley Osier said she arrived home with her 6-year-old daughter and noticed her garage door was open.

"I told her to wait in the car and I walked in the house. I went to my daughter's room and her piggy bank was smashed and the money was taken. I went in my bedroom and my wedding ring had been stolen," Osier said.

"It's just the psychological damage," Osier said. "My daughter can't walk into a room in the house without being afraid."

Gomez, who wept through the proceedings, addressed the victims, saying she wished she could take back the offenses.

"If I were in your shoes, I would feel the same way," she said. "I wish every day this had not happened. I am so sorry to each and everyone of you."

She asked Gibbons to give her a chance.

"I also suffered. I have to deal with my guilt and live with my actions. You're not the only ones suffering," she said.

"I feel like I deserve some sort of chance. I do want to be a productive member of society and I want to make something of myself," Gomez said.

"This is not the kind of case where the court grants probation," Gibbons told Gomez.

"You did do it, not one time, but over and over and over. Then you took the property and pawned it. You had to think about it each time," Gibbons said.

Morgan declined to comment.

His lawyer, Derrick Lopez, said Morgan wasn't comfortable speaking, but wanted the victims to know the residences were picked at random.

"The victims were not picked at all from the standpoint of being stalked or disliked. They were randomly picked if the house looked empty or unattended. It was nothing personal," Lopez said.

Gibbons also ordered the couple to pay $16,000 restitution.

Morgan still owes $41,809 from a series of burglaries he committed in 2006.

He also has a juvenile burglary conviction.

According to reports, Morgan committed the new burglaries shortly after he was released after serving three years in prison for the 2006 conviction.

Prosecutor Laurie Totter pointed out that Morgan resumed committing burglaries just a few days after he was released from prison.

"He didn't learn from the first time," she said. "He went out and subjected people to a fearful and potentially lethal situation."