MT judge who gave one-month sentence to rapist orders 5-year term for vandal

A Montana judge told a fast-food worker convicted of a vandalism spree to get a “real job” to more quickly repay his victims.

District Judge G. Todd Baugh sentenced 21-year-old Brandon Turell to 10 years in prison, with five of those years suspended, and ordered him to pay about $13,600 in restitution, reported the Billings Gazette.

Prosecutors said Turell and Caleb Powers used a stolen BB gun to shoot out the windows of about 100 vehicles and at least one house over two nights in December 2012.

Turell pleaded guilty earlier this year to felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor counts of theft, theft by accountability, and DUI.

“I’m very sorry for everything I’ve done,” Turell told the sentencing judge.

The judge asked Turell, who bonded out of jail about 18 months ago, what he had done to pay back his victims, and Turell said he had been working at Burger King.

“Why can’t you get a real job?” Baugh asked.

Turell said he made $9.50 an hour working at the fast food restaurant, and Baugh again suggested he get a “real job” that paid better.

Baugh faces a possible suspension and public censure ordered earlier this month by Montana’s Supreme Court for his actions during the sentencing of a teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old student who later killed herself.

The judge sentenced former teacher Stacy Rambold to one month in jail, arguing that the girl shared responsibility for her rape because she appeared “older than her chronological age” and “as much in control of the situation” as her teacher.

The judge technically sentenced the former Billings high school teacher to 15 years in prison with all but 31 days suspended and gave him credit for one day served.

Baugh later admitted his remarks violated judicial conduct, and he will not run for re-election.

[Image: Male Judge In Front Of Mallet Holding Documents via Shutterstock]