A Union Star man was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the burglary of a county commissioner’s home. Jeffery Pendleton, 39, pleaded guilty June 30 to 2nd degree burglary, a class d felony. He admitted joining co-defendant Shannon Schremser in a break in at the home of Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook on Mansfield Road in February.

Police said Schremser’s house was a “drug house” and a “neighborhood menace,” where stolen property was taken after a series of burglaries fueled by methamphetamine addiction.

Schremser, 22, pleaded guilty to this and another burglary, and was sentenced to probation with a 120-day shock treatment program, as we reported July 13.

Pendleton has at least two other burglary cases pending against him. On Wednesday Circuit Judge Patrick Robb followed the recommendation contained in a plea agreement, and ordered a five year sentence for the break in on Mansfield Road. When asked if he had anything to say to the court, he said “I apologize for my actions.”

Officials have said the Hook family lost a 2000 Lexus and other property in the burglary of their garage.  Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Bachman initially asked the judge to order $4,100 in restitution in the case.  But Pendleton’s lawyer Jared Welch told the court this was the first he’d heard of restitution.  The judge also said he’d have to see some evidence before he could order restitution.  After a brief conference between the lawyers, Bachman dropped his request for restitution.