Two Jefferson residents were sentenced to prison following a hearing in Greene County District Court Friday.

District Court Judge Adrian Kester sentenced 36 year-old’s Tyson James Ruth and Joey Ann Godwin each to prison with their sentences not to exceed five years. The judgement came after the husband and wife pled guilty to a Class D Felony for second degree theft.

Kester rejected the plea agreements that were offered by Greene County Attorney Nic Martino and defense attorneys Joel Baxter, who represented Ruth and Chuck Kendall, who represented Godwin. They recommended a suspended prison sentence and be placed on probation. The two victims that Ruth and Godwin stole hunting equipment from, Jim and Carol Strautman, gave victim impact statements. They felt that if the suspects were given probation that they would continue to hurt and steal from others. Kester did agree to allow for long-term drug and alcohol treatment programs to help them overcome their addictions.

The judgement stemmed from an executed search warrant by the Greene County Sheriff’s office in the 200 block of East Perry Street in Jefferson on May 27, 2016. Authorities recovered stolen hunting equipment including turkey decoys, camouflage pants, two trail cameras, two digital cards, a camera tripod and swivel seats. They also found meth and drug paraphernalia.

The pair were additionally charged with possession of stolen property, criminal trespass, possession of meth and drug paraphernalia and fifth degree theft. In the plea agreement, the State agreed to dismiss all of the other charges.

They were also ordered to pay victim restitution of $1,800, court costs, attorney fees and a $125 law enforcement surcharge.

They are also facing a charge from Carroll County of unauthorized possession of an offensive weapon and a probation revocation charge from Dallas County.