David Fiss of Salesville who faced a large number of criminal charges either committed separately or with co-defendant Brandy Hughes entered a guilty plea to those charges during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday and was given 10 years in prison.
Together, the 28-year-old Fiss and Hughes were charged with about 60 counts stemming mainly from the theft of a wide variety of items from a number of locations, including a 5,000 watt generator, utility trailers, a personal watercraft, a 20-foot camper, several vehicles including a van, tools, weapons and personal checks. In addition, they stole water and electricity for the camper where they apparently lived for a time.
The thefts took place late last year and early this year and involved stealing from houses, shop buildings, apartment complexes and a marina.
In one case, Fiss and Hughes are alleged to have broken into the same house — twice. On December 18th, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office personnel went to a residence along Baxter County Road 48 to investigate a possible break-in. When they arrived, they observed a white SUV driving through the backyard. The victim advised he was working on that particular vehicle and no one should be driving it. At one point, Sergeant Brad Hurst with the sheriff’s office went onto a raised deck at the rear of the residence.
He reported spotting Fiss, whom he knew from earlier encounters, standing beside the vehicle. They greeted each other by first name, Fiss reentered the vehicle and fled.
The victim said Fiss and Hughes did not have permission to be on his property. When officers checked inside the residence, they found scrambled eggs cooking and other food items on a counter. Evidence inside the residence indicated a male and female had been staying at the residence.
The pair returned to the same house on January 5th. Lawmen found the back door open. The house showed signs making it obvious someone had been inside. In addition, a shop building on the property had been entered. When the victim was contacted, he determined a welder, a green four-wheeler and a red utility trailer had been stolen.
The crime spree continued until Fiss and Hughes were arrested January 11th.
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