Bond revoked for New, sentencing continued

GREENCASTLE -- A Terre Haute man is in jail after his bond was revoked and his sentencing was continued Thursday in Putnam County Circuit Court.

Maxwell T. New, 21, was arrested and formally charged on Jan. 16, 2009 with Class B felony burglary and two counts of Class D felony theft. His bond was originally set at $30,000 cash only, but he was released on his own recognizance on Feb. 25, 2009.

In the months that have elapsed since his release from jail, New has undergone extensive drug abuse counseling and treatment.

On May 27, New pled guilty to the Class B felony, and sentencing was set for Thursday.

Under the terms of the recognizance bond, New was required to report to the Putnam County Probation Department and submit to drug testing. In court Thursday, New's attorney Darrell Felling requested that the court revoke his client's bond and reset his sentencing. Felling explained that a urine sample New had provided for a recent drug screen had been obviously diluted, as had a sample used for a screen just before New went to court on Thursday.

Judge Diana LaViolette said an attorney requesting the revocation of a client's bond was a rare occurrence, and asked New if he understood what was happening.

"I just want to admit the truth," he said, before Felling interrupted him and told him to refrain from saying anything further.

"I am not suggesting that (New) is guilty of anything," Felling said. "I'm just saying there is a legitimate basis for the state to investigate."

LaViolette revoked New's bond and ordered him to be booked into the Putnam County Jail. She reset his sentencing for July 15.

The charges against New stem from his alleged involvement in a Jan. 15, 2009 incident at a Greencastle residence. According to court documents, New is accused of stealing electronics from an apartment on West Larabee Street.

Witnesses told officials New was trying to sell the stolen items on the night of the thefts. Police went to New's residence, and New gave them verbal permission to search his apartment, court documents said. Police found a television set bearing a serial number that matched the one the victim had given him from one of the stolen items, as well as the pocket PC matching the description of another stolen item.

While they were searching New's apartment, officers also discovered an Xbox 360 gaming console and a video game that matched descriptions of items that had been reported stolen in late December from a Vine Street residence, court documents said.

A Class B felony is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison.