By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

A man charged with burglary and theft of a local business pleaded guilty to burglary, third degree Aug. 14.

Curtis Henry Kennedy, 24, of Russellville, was arrested for breaking into Stidham’s Feed and Seed on Highway 43 in January. He allegedly stole a variety of merchandise exceeding $500 in value, making it a felony theft and burglary.

According to district attorney Joey Rushing, Kennedy pleaded guilty to burglary, third degree, pleading to the maximum sentence of 10 years. Sentencing will be at later date, and Rushing said his office will not support Kennedy’s request for probation instead of time in prison.

“(Break-in and theft) just really causes the business to have a hard time operating, so we try to send a message as strongly as we can, to punish these people as much as possible,” Rushing said.