NORWICH – Serial burglar Kevin J. Begeal appeared in Chenango County Court and pled guilty to five counts of third degree burglary.

Begeal was sentenced to state prison for one to three years for each count, for a total of five to 15. He was also ordered to pay restitution of nearly $5,000.

“It’s just a shame he’s a young man, he got himself heavily involved with friends who were quite frankly heavily into crack cocaine,” said Begeal’s Public Defender Alan Gordon.

“You’ve burned a lot of bridges in the community, but one day when you do get out, that same community will be here to help you. But that’s only if you are willing to turn your back on drugs,” Chenango County Family and Surrogate Judge Howard Sullivan said after sentencing.