While he may have owned up to his crimes, a Dowagiac man will spend the next year behind bars for stealing firearms from a home earlier this year.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced 20-year-old Reno Renee Reyna to one year in jail Friday morning in Cass County court, on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana. Reyna pleaded guilty to the counts on May 8.

The charges against Reyna stemmed from an incident that took place Jan. 3, 2017, at a residence on Ball Road, Dowagiac. A friend, who was housesitting for her grandparents at the time, invited the Dowagiac man to the home. At some point during his visit, Reyna stole several items, including two firearms, from the home, which the homeowners discovered were missing after returning to the residence on Jan. 12.

During the police’s investigation into the thefts, officers found and searched a backpack belonging to the defendant, which sported the name “King Reyna” on it. Police found numerous items inside the bag, including a stolen handgun from the home, as well as ammunition, knives, cellphones, a glasspipe, and marijuana and oxycodone pills.

“We have at least one gun out there that is still on the street,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz during Friday’s hearing. “The victims were very astute to point out that not only is it in danger of falling into a criminal’s hands, but could also be used to hurt or kill a kid, through accident or intent.”

Fitz said that Reyna took advantage of his friend’s trust, likely to due to drugs, by stealing from her grandparents. Reyna has been abusing drugs since he was 13-years-old, the prosecutor said.

Fitz commended the 20-year-old for the turnaround he has made since his incarceration, though, pointing out that the defendant has accepted full responsibility for his actions.

While he normally would push for prison time for such crimes, the prosecutor asked the judge to accept the terms of the plea bargain his office struck with the defendant and his attorney, James Miller, for one year in jail.

Reyna described his progress since his arrest Friday, telling the court that he has received his high school diploma, signed up for drug rehabilitation classes and worked with jail ministers to turn his life over to God.

“I’m ready to change, to start making something of my life,” he said.

Herman agreed to the terms of the defendant’s plea agreement, and added that he too was impressed with the defendant’s growth over the last several months — assuming his turnaround is genuine.

“There are a lot of foxhole converts in jail,” Herman said to the defendant Friday. “I hope, for your sake, what you are saying is true. If it is, you will be much better off. I’m sure you would rather not be here today, sitting in front a judge in an orange jumpsuit.”

Herman gave Reyna 151 days credit for time already served behind bars.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Dale Antwan-Carnal Johnson, 31, of Kalamazoo, to two years of probation for possession of cocaine and operating with a suspended license.

• Joe Dilley, 44, of Dowagiac, to one year of probation for welfare fraud.

• Timothy Wayne Adams, 50, of Dowagiac, to two years of probation for possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

• Roosevelt Daniel Lee-Fleming, of Kalamazoo, to 18 months of probation for possession of analogues and possession of marijuana.