Suspect Frein served time in Schuyler

SCHUYLER COUNTY--Some 400 law enforcement officers from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are continuing their search for Eric M. Frein, 31. Frein is suspected of shooting and killing a Pennsylvania state trooper and injuring another, Sept. 12. According to the Schuyler County District Attorney's Office, Frein previously served time for stolen goods in Schuyler County in 2006.
On June 22, 2006, Frein pled guilty to criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor. The defendant had been charged with grand larceny in the third degree and burglary in the third degree. The charges were based upon the theft of World War II uniforms and memorabilia from an enclosed structure, which was located at a WWII reenactment event being held in Odessa. The date of the crime was Sept. 11, 2004.
The matter was scheduled to proceed to trial April 3, 2006, but the defendant failed to appear for trial. The defendant's father said the last anyone had seen him was at a family function several days prior. He also indicated his son had been purchasing a large amount of camping gear during the preceding month. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but the defendant turned himself in to the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department April 10, 2006, prior to being apprehended by law enforcement. He remained incarcerated pending a trial date, which was set for July.
Because he was incarcerated pending trial, the defendant was permitted to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, upon the condition he pay restitution in full at the time of sentencing. On the date of his plea, June 22, 2006, he paid $3,120 restitution and was sentenced to a conditional discharge and jail--with credit for time served--which meant he was incarcerated for 109 days.
The Schuyler County conviction represents the only conviction of Frein's criminal history. Additionally, when a recent search warrant was executed at the home of Frein, his nightstand had papers on it which included documents associated with his arrest and conviction in Schuyler County.