Bessemer woman sentenced on home invasion charge

BESSEMER — A Bessemer woman was sentenced to probation and community service in Gogebic County Circuit Court Thursday on the charge of third degree attempted home invasion.

Evalyn Marie Juntti, 50, of Bessemer was sentenced to 18 months probation and 30 days in jail, although Judge Michael Pope said she wouldn’t serve additional jail time if she performed 32 hours of community service each month while on probation.

She will also have to pay approximately $1,188 in fines and costs.

Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs told the Daily Globe the case stemmed from Junnti using a ladder to enter the window of her neighbor’s homes and taking property.

Jacobs said she cooperated with the subsequent investigation.

Third degree attempted home invasion is a high court misdemeanor, which carries a potential 2-year maximium sentence, and is treated like a felony for criminal record and sentencing purposes.

Prior to delivering his sentence, Pope said Juntti’s crime seemed out of character for her.

“Looking at the investigation report, the court is questioning why you did it,” Pope said. “Notably you don’t have a record of any sort, never been in trouble with a felony, misdemeanor, juvenile — this is your first ever involvement with law enforcement.

“There’s no reported substance abuse issues, which usually come hand-in-hand with theft ... there’s no indication of gambling in this case. So the court is scratching its head, wondering why you would choose to do this.”

He did note the effect her actions had on her victims.

“Victims of this type of crime, they do feel hurt,” Pope said. “Especially in our community, which is a community where a lot of folks don’t lock their doors because they trust their neighbors.”

Juntti’s attorney, James McKenzie, told Pope additional jail time was unnecessary in the case.

“I believe the additional jail time is not necessary to teach Ms. Juntti a lesson. She has already faced a jail — she knows what it’s like — she does not, in any way, wish to violate her probation so that she will see the inside of that place again,” McKenzie said, prior to the sentence being announced.

He brought up that her previous record was clean and called the incident “a total aberration of character.”

McKenzie also argued having a felony record would be punishment enough for the crime.

An emotional Juntti echoed McKenzie’s comments, telling the court she was sorry for her actions and she didn’t know why she did what she did.

Juntti pleaded guilty as part of a deal that reduced the charge against her from second degree home invasion.