NORWICH – Thomas L. Ackermann, a 25-year-old Norwich resident, admitted to stealing property out of cars and attempting to sell stolen guns with his brother, and was sentenced to prison for both crimes.
Ackermann was already incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility in December of 2014 when his brother was arrested and remanded to the county jail for attempting to sell stolen guns.
According to First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese, Ackermann was already incarcerated at the county jail for stealing property out of Norwich residents' vehicles.
Ackermann also received additional charges for helping his brother attempt to sell the stolen guns in November of 2014, which was before he was arrested and remanded for possessing property he had stolen out of cars.
According to the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, deputies had received a phone call from a person who had been suspicious about the cheap price of guns he had considered purchasing. Following an investigation, it was found that the men who had possessed and attempted to sell the guns were the Ackermann brothers.
Both brothers were indicted on Jan. 21, 2015 for two counts each of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
It was alleged, per the indictment, on Nov. 25, 2014 at a Town of Otselic residence, that Ackermann - while acting in concert with his brother - did knowingly possess three stolen weapons, consisting of a Ruger 308 M77 Winchester rifle, a Ruger 77/50 muzzle-loader and a Remington 870 shotgun, to benefit themselves or another person other than the owner. The guns had an approximate value of $1,960 and belonged to a Town of Otselic resident.
Ackermann was also indicted on Jan. 21 for the separate case regarding the vehicle thefts. He was indicted on criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony, and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It was alleged, per the indictment, on Dec. 9, 2014, at approximately 2 p.m. at a residence in the City of Norwich, Thomas did knowingly possess stolen property, consisting of a XPS-M14 Dell laptop computer and a XJ-A140V Casio projector belonging to one Norwich resident; two DVD players, $40 in loose change and a wallet belonging to another Norwich resident; and an Apple iPod belonging to a third Norwich resident, to benefit himself or another person other than the owners.
On April 27, 2015, Ackermann pleaded guilty to two counts of the class E felony of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree in full satisfaction of both indictments.
Ackermann said he has a history of drug addiction and is currently prescribed the psychiatric medication Seroquel.
Ackermann said his brother originally possessed the stolen guns and that he did not ask his brother whether or not they were stolen at the time. He said it “was not his place to ask,” but he also admitted he knew they were stolen.
Ackermann said he helped his brother attempt to sell the stolen guns.
“I was trying to get money to purchase drugs,” said Ackermann.
On May 11, 2015, Ackermann reappeared in Chenango County Court to be sentenced as a predicate felon.
He had previously been convicted of attempted burglary in the second degree on April 27, 2012 in the County of Oneida.
“Mr. Ackermann is here because he got into drugs,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride. “I have known him since he was a young boy because he is about the same age as my kids, and during those years, he was involved in sports and doing a good job.”
McBride said in the last 8-10 years, Ackermann has changed. But he said despite Ackermann getting into trouble with the law, Ackermann's father supported him.
“His father is here in court for him today, and he was there during the football games [when he was a kid],” said McBride.
McBride said to Ackermann that it is time for him to change.
“Get out of jail and stop hanging out with whoever you have been hanging with, or I am going to have to send you to prison again,” said McBride.
When asked if he would like to say anything on his own behalf, Ackermann said, “I would just like to thank my parents for taking care of my responsibilities and helping me. I love them. I love my kids. That's all.”
Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. said to Ackermann that he has a long life ahead of him and that he hopes Ackermann does not come out of prison “in worse shape than he is now going in.”
Revoir said Ackermann and his brother have already built up a long criminal history at their young ages.
“I am sure there is a big sigh of relief from the community when they see you two are [incarcerated]. You two have been out on some sort of spree... Nobody feels safe and it's a terrible feeling,” said Revoir.
“I hope you turn your life around and be a good dad for your kids,” he added.
Ackermann was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of two to four years in the New York State Department of Corrections for both pleas, which are to run concurrently.
The stolen guns and stolen property from the vehicles were returned to the victims with the exception of one of the female victims in the car thefts who Ackermann will be required to pay restitution to in the amount of $98.
Ackermann's father asked Revoir, before Ackermann was escorted out of the courtroom, “Your honor, is there any way my son can get a furlough for a couple days and see his kids?”
Revoir shook his head no but thanked Ackermann's father for being in court.
Ackermann's brother, Sam Ackermann, will appear in Chenango County Court for his plea and sentence at a later date.