by Fred Gough ~ Hutch Post

The 16-year-old arrested in association with church burglaries in the Hutchinson area was before Judge Tim Chambers this afternoon where he entered guilty pleas to all criminal counts against him.

Joshua Hickey will be sentenced on November 16 and will most likely be granted some form of probation because of his lack of criminal history. His attorney attempted to get his bond lowered from the current 75-thousand dollars because of the presumption of getting probation. But, the state objected stating that if he were to get into more trouble, it could mean prison. Judge Tim Chambers denied the request citing the fact that he has been certified as an adult and also because of the number of charges.

Hickey is now guilty of 15-counts of burglary, 15-counts of criminal damage and 8-counts of theft. Hickey is not only suspected in the burglary of churches, but also burglaries of the Dillon’s at 13th & Main, the Pic-Quik on South Main and Hutchinson High School.

Hickey is one of four people suspected in the church burglaries. The others include 24-year-old Justin Branscom, 19-year-old Jordon Schmucker and Desiree Mahoney.

Branscom was recently ordered to prison in other cases and was arraigned on the burglary charges Monday morning where he entered not guilty pleas.