Austin man sentenced to jail time, supervised probation on burglary and domestic abuse charges in Mower County District Court

An Austin man facing felony burglary and misdemeanor domestic abuse charges in Mower County District Court stemming from incidents that occurred in April of 2021 and in February of 2023 has been sentenced to jail time, supervised probation, and time in the sentence to service program.

50-year old Joel Vargas was convicted and sentenced Friday to five years of supervised probation, 40 hours in the sentence to service program, and $660 in restitution and fees for a felony charge of 3rd degree burglary stemming from an incident that occurred in Austin on April 13th, 2021.  An 18-month prison sentence was stayed for five years if Vargas complies with the 23 different conditions of his probation, and he first pleaded guilty to the charge on August 1st, 2021. A felony charge for 1st degree criminal damage to property, value reduced by over $1,000 against Vargas in the case was dismissed with this guilty plea, and Vargas was also sentenced to 80 days in jail for a misdemeanor charge of violating a domestic abuse no-contact order stemming from an incident that occurred the same day.  Vargas was given credit for 54 days already served, and he was also convicted and sentenced to 90 days in jail, one year of supervised probation and 40 hours in the sentence to service program for a misdemeanor charge of violating a domestic abuse no-contact order during an incident that occurred on February 18th of this year.  Vargas was given credit for 28 days already served, and Judge Kevin Siefken stayed the remaining 62 days of the jail sentence for one year if Vargas complies with the terms of his probation.  

Vargas pleaded guilty to the charge on Thursday, and a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault, commits act to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death stemming from an incident that took place in Austin on December 14th, 2020 was dismissed with Vargas’ guilty plea.