Rockford man sentenced to suspended prison term, fine, probation for burglary charge

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Rockford man who pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree burglary has been sentenced to a suspended prison sentence, probation and a fine.

Jeffrey Alan Eilertson, age 39, was originally charged with first-degree burglary, a Class B felony, for allegedly breaking open a locked screen door and then entering a home in Rockford in March, while armed with two handguns.

Eilertson had been scheduled to begin trial on the charge on Aug. 20, but he filed a written plea of guilty to the lesser charge of burglary in the second-degree, a Class C felony.

At a sentencing hearing held last week, Judge DeDra Schroeder followed the Floyd County Attorney’s Office plea recommendation and sentenced Eilertson to an indeterminate term in prison not to exceed 10 years, fully suspended; a fine of $1,370 plus 15% surcharge and court costs; and probation with the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for three years.

He was also ordered to “promptly complete” all recommended substance abuse and mental health treatment.