Joseph Bermingham of Cotter was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of charges during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
The newest cases against Bermingham is only the latest in a fairly long string of charges he has faced over the years.
In this most recent case, the 41-year-old Berminghams charges stem from his stealing a wallet that the victim in the case had accidentally left behind in a local restaurant. When the victim became aware that the wallet was missing, he reported the situation to police.
A video surveillance system in the restaurant caught Bermingham taking the wallet that had been left on a chair about 2 p.m. on February 2nd, and cameras at other businesses caught him using the stolen debit and credit cards.
There were several purchases made totaling slightly more than $500. Bermingham was unable to make another purchase of $200 because the victim had cancelled the cards.
After being developed as a suspect, Bermingham was arrested at his residence in Cotter and, according to the probable cause affidavit, admitted to taking the wallet and making the purchases with the stolen debit and credit cards.
At the time, Bermingham was an active parolee on an earlier case. When officers went to his home, they also found, in addition to items purchased with the stolen cards, methamphetamine, scales, small plastic bags and $873 in currency.
In addition to the criminal charges, the state filed a complaint against Bermingham seeking the forfeiture of the cash. He was also ordered to pay $200 in restitution.
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