Hobbs sentenced in Stone Child thefts

The second of two men who have pleaded guilty to breaking into the Stone Child College bookstore at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and stealing cash and items including seven iPod Touches, an iPod Nano, headphones and jackets was sentenced in federal court in Great Falls Thursday.

John Owen Hobbs Jr, 31, pleaded guilty to theft from an Indian tribal organization Nov. 14. His co-defendant, Robert Allen Bradford III, pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to the same charge.

Thursday, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris sentenced Hobbs to 18 months probation and ordered him, along with Bradford, to pay $8,657 in restitution to the tribal college.

He also ordered Hobbs to complete a nine-month addiction treatment program at the White Sky Hope Treatment Center in Box Elder.

Jan. 16, Morris also ordered Bradford to pay the restitution, and sentenced him to time served and 18 months probation.

Both Hobbs and Bradford were released after they initially entered not guilty pleas — Bradford missed his first arraignment hearing Aug. 6 and was arraigned Aug. 8 and released following the hearing. Hobbs initially entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment Aug. 6 and was released.

Bradford later was arrested and jailed again pending sentencing after he was found to have violated conditions of his release. He kicked in the door to and vandalized a woman’s residence, including breaking her television, telephone and computer monitor and taking her cellphone. He also moved to a new address without notifying authorities.

Bradford pleaded guilty in Havre city court to the charges stemming from the breakin and vandalism.

Morris sentenced Bradford to the time served for those violations as well as the time served upon his initial arrest.