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ESCANABA - An Escanaba man pleaded guilty to three charges for crimes he committed while attempting to steal money to buy drugs. The defendant confessed Thursday in Delta County Circuit Court.

Justin Nault, 21, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, attempted identity theft, and illegal use of a credit card. Maximum sentencings on each count were enhanced by an habitual offense charge Nault had on record from a prior felony conviction.

The breaking and entering charge relates to break-ins in Cornell and Baldwin townships from April 30-May 11, according to Judge Stephen Davis who asked Nault to explain what happened.

"I have this huge drug problem. I'd do anything I could to get money for drugs," Nault told the judge. The defendant explained, in one incident, he was looking for money to steal when he entered a camp through a window.

Nault was originally charged with five counts of breaking and entering. Four counts were dismissed in Thursday's plea bargain.

The other two charges against Nault- attempted identity theft and illegal use of a financial transaction device - related to items stolen from an Escanaba business on May 1, 2009.

Justin's brother, Shannon Nault, 24, along with Nathan Gartland, 23, and John Larson, 28, were arrested in connection with break-ins at Bach Mobilities in Escanaba from where checks and credit cards were stolen.

Last month, Gartland was sentenced to boot camp on the charges of: breaking and entering a building, Bach Mobilities; breaking and entering a coin-operated device, a Daily Press newspaper vending machine; and attempted illegal use of a financial transaction device, a stolen credit card.

Larson was arrested on two breaking and entering charges at Bach Mobilities. Shannon Nault was charged with identity theft and illegal use of a financial transaction device in connection with checks and credit/debit cards stolen from the business.

Another co-defendant, Melissa Patten, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced in circuit court today on charges of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without the owner's consent - aiding and abetting, and attempted stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without the owner's consent- aiding and abetting, each a four-year felony.

Justin Nault is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 5. The charge of breaking and entering, habitual offender, carries a maximum sentencing of 15 years in prison.

Charges against the five suspects stem from a multi-jurisdictional investigation of a dozen break-ins at businesses, residences and camps which occurred in the county during April and May.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net