As convicted copper thief Diamantino Reis wept in misery, a Circuit Court judge today sentenced him to up to 10 years in prison for a series of crimes that included $26,967 in damage to the West Loch municipal golf course.

Reis and his lawyer asked Judge Richard Perkins for a probation sentence, arguing that he has already served 15 months behind bars and led an "exemplary" life before becoming addicted to methamphetamines in 2004.

But Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Franklin Pacarro Jr. asked for the 10-year sentence "to send a message to people out there ripping off copper."

Reis, 44, pleaded guilty to crimes including criminal property damage, theft of copper and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

West Loch maintenance supervisor Tony Balada Jr. told Perkins that Reis' theft of copper wiring on two occasions at the golf course in September 2007 "put lives in danger" and knocked out electricity for a month to the concession stand and three restrooms.

Pacarro told the judge that an investigation conducted by state sheriffs determined that Reis sold some $70,000 in copper and other metals to recycling firms from September 2006 to September 2007. Those sales did not include $3,600 he received for selling almost 1,700 pounds of copper wiring stolen from the West Loch golf course, Pacarro said.