A Newcomerstown man who stole a generator from a barn where he was purchasing a tractor was sentenced Thursday, March 24, in Holmes County Common Pleas Court.

Eric Fries, 30, of 319 Pearl St., was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret to nine months in prison on one count of receiving stolen property. The charge stems from Sept. 6, when Fries stole a generator from a Benton area barn. Fries had just purchased a tractor from the owner of the generator.

The generator was recovered after a Millersburg business owner got suspicious over Fries’ offer to sell it. While a sheriff’s deputy was taking a report from the business owner, Fries called to say he was on his way. The deputy pulled his cruiser behind the business and waited for Fries to arrive.

The generator, valued at $1,149, was returned undamaged to the owner.

Speaking before Rinfret, Fries said he was “afraid” to go to prison and feared “the possibility.” He said he has “at least eight” separate mental health issues and is finally getting help for them.

Fries’ criminal history dates back to 1998 and includes a breaking and entering conviction in 2010. Rinfret said Fries’ record indicated a pattern of criminal behavior.

“The mental health issues (claimed by Fries) didn’t just pop up,” Rinfret said.