Furniture store burglar gets prison term

A Watertown man was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to two to four years in state prison for breaking into a furniture store.

Alexander N. Donchevich,20, had pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to third-degree burglary and admitted violating probation. He admitted that he, along with another man, tried to break into Massey's Furniture Barn, 119 Sand St., on May 30.

Judge Kim H. Martusewicz recommended that Mr. Donchevich participate in the prison system's shock incarceration program. If deemed eligible by state Department of Correctional Services officials, he would spend six months in prison and then serve the balance of his sentence on parole.

In other court activity Monday, three people were arraigned on charges contained in grand jury indictments unsealed in court.

Scott W. Tousley Sr.,45, Adams, was arraigned on third-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief charges. It is alleged that on Feb. 13 he intentionally damaged a building and its contents, belonging to JoAnn B. Tousley, by setting fire to the structure at 17028 Comstock Road, Adams. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released under probation supervision.

Tommy L. Clark,29, of 212 N. Rutland St., faces two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It is alleged that he had and sold cocaine twice in late July in Watertown.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building on $30,000 bail.

Julian A. James,25, Watertown, is charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It is alleged that he had and sold cocaine in early June in Watertown. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $30,000 bail.