Judge orders thieves to pay an estimated $145,000 in restitution
Jeffrey Arthur Schuh, Jeffrey Aron Schuh, Quang Nguyen, Stephen Colwell
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
The four thieves who pleaded guilty to breaking into a slew of houses last summer will have to pay an estimated $145,000 in restitution, it was revealed at the first man's sentencing Wednesday.
Quang Nguyen, 19, of Ypsilanti Township, was sentenced 4-15 years in a state prison and ordered to pay, along with his three co-defendants, the restitution to the homeowners and their insurance companies.
"I am sorry," Nguyen said in court as he read from a prepared statement.
The three other members of the break-in crew are scheduled to be sentenced on May 8. Jeffery Arthur Schuh, 54, and his son, Jeffrey Aron Schuh, 20, both of Dexter, pleaded guilty to numerous home invasions earlier this month.
Younger Schuh is expected to get the same 4-15 year sentence, while the elder Schuh likely will get 3-15 years.
Steven Colwell, the 25-year-old Lima Township man who pleaded guilty to five counts of second-degree home invasion in November, testified against his former crew in exchange for a lighter sentence. Police say his agreement includes a term of 2-15 years in prison.
The crew broke into a total of nine houses in Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township, Webster Township and Dexter Township, according to Cowell's testimony. He said the elder Schuh functioned as a lookout on three of the jobs. A wide range of items were taken, including foreign coins, two-dollar bills, equestrian trophies, jewelry, silver goblets, electronics, cash, a guitar and custom-made brass bullets.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Ethan L
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
I know everyone except the Dad.. and the sole reason the cops were able to catch all four was they caught Steven and he dried snitched on all 3.. hence why he got 2 years to their 3 or 4 years. But then again being a snitch in prison is a death sentence so he probably won't make it out alive.... to bad Quang family spent all that money on a paid lawyer.
alfonso
Sat, May 4, 2013 : 12:04 p.m.
Which court? Which judge? What kind of "cops and courts" reporting is this?
John Counts
Sat, May 4, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.
As is indicated in the comments above, it was Judge Archie Brown's courtroom in the Washtenaw County Trial Court. We have reported that information extensively while covering these cases, in dozens of other stories. The restitution amount was part of a plea agreement Brown followed at sentencing. While he ordered it, he didn't necessarily come up with it. We write numerous court stories and include the judge's name when truly relevant.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
RE: " the elder Schuh likely will get 3-15 years." Now that's ridiculous. The "elder Schuh" was most likely the instigator and most likely played some kind of leadership role. He'll get LESS time than his son??!! If the court buys the "he was just a lookout" story; I really think we deserve to hear the reasoning behind it. But I think we also might thank law enforcement for their effort - getting 4 criminals apprehended at once is no small feat.
Mike
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
They'll be lucky if they collect $145.00 .................How much do they get paid while in prison?
Candis Hale
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 7:29 p.m.
Jeff's dad should have gotten longer time... Such a shame... Crazy how you can go to school with kids and they be your friends and just randomly this happens...
Reverend Bubba X
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 9 p.m.
'"I am sorry," Nguyen said in court as he read from a prepared statement.' Sure sounds guilty.
creep123
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 1:42 a.m.
Funny how you can be convicted with no evidence or proof against you....
Judy
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 7:23 p.m.
So...who was the judge? Did he put a time frame on when the money was to be paid? Oh, silly me Judges never put time frames on orders it would me the defendant's may really have to do what the order states or face more jail time.
John Counts
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
This case was presided over by Judge Archie Brown. The time frame wasn't mentioned in court, but keep in mind Nguyen will be in prison for the next 4-15 years.
chapmaja
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
I'd like to say I'm shocked by this, but Quang wasn't much different in HS. I had him in class, and hear numerous reports of issues while he was in HS. As for the high priced attorney, that was likely paid for by his father, who IIRC Quang said works for Toyota in Pittsfield Township.
gofigure
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.
Seems to me if they had $145K they wouldn't be breaking and entering.
Arieswoman
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 11:54 a.m.
I don't think the victims can expect a penny!
Joe_Citizen
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 9:31 a.m.
Wow, those were light sentences, I know people that more time for less. I guess that's Washtenaw leniency for you! In Lenawee County, they would have received 5 year minimum. Doesn't really make much difference though, the crime there is just as bad per capita.
Fair101
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 11:54 p.m.
creep123, please just stop already, it's time to get over it. its over. They did do the crimes they were accused of or else they wouldn't have plead guilty. If there was absolutely NO evidence against anyone except Colwell then it makes no sense that they would have any apprehension in taking this to trial. If there was so much overwhelming evidence that proves their innocence then they obviously could've hired a really good defense attorney and it would've been a slam dunk case. We all know that they have cold hard proof that they younger Schuh used a stolen credit card at Meijer so your argument is out the door regardless. Also, it should be noted that you've been duped by the lies of these thieves and now feel compelled to defend them. everything that you're saying is inconsiderate and unfair to the victims of these crimes. Those people had to deal with the trauma of having their houses broken into, ransacked and vandalized by these criminals. They deserve a much harsher sentence in my opinion. 10 years minimum
creep123
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 1:40 a.m.
4-15 years is a light sentence for someone being accused in a string of home invasions that: a) there is still NO proof but a drug addict claiming they were involved b) no stolen items were recovered at their home c) they have no prior record I think this is a shame and shows how screwed up Washtenaw County is. These kids just got their futures thrown down the drain. I believe they did nothing wrong. They were facing a lot more time and were scared, so they had to plead. In Washtenaw county you can be a grown man with AIDS, rape a 14 year old, ruin his life and get only a year in prison. It's sad we value material possessions more than human life....
Krupper1
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 1:55 a.m.
I'm certain I ran this crew out of my house - coming in my bedroom window. . . they didn't like the sound of a shotgun being racked.
Polecat
Mon, May 6, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
They never do brother, too bad you didn't get a couple of them, would save the taxpayers some dough.
creep123
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 1:36 a.m.
There's a lot of other "crews". I'm glad you weren't robbed though.
mady
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
Good for you!
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.
that's nice. one question is where do you think this crew will come up with 145g's?!?
brian
Thu, Apr 25, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
Hahahahahahahaha, that is never going to happen.
creep123
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 1:34 a.m.
Only one of them was actually caught will stolen stuff. Shouldn't he have to be the one who pays it back? Something doesn't add up...
CrimeVictim2012
Thu, Apr 25, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
Aiden (Quang Nguyen) had an expensive private attorney and got a sentence as long as anyone else in the gang. Whomever financed him wasted their money. It should have gone to the victims instead.
John Counts
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 4:03 p.m.
Restitution is paid to both the victims themselves and insurance companies, according to the sentencing report.
Rod Johnson
Sun, Apr 28, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.
Then the reparations are owed to the insurance company, no?
creep123
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
Do the "victims" not have insurance? I'm sure you already were paid back for the things you "claimed" were "stolen".