Man who stole guns hears his second sentence

A man who led police on a dangerous high-speed chase through Madison County and burglarized a gun shop was sentenced Wednesday to ten years on charges originating in Bonneville County.

Travis Castro, 30, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and grand theft. He stole guns from Guns N’ Gear in Idaho Falls on August 16.

He was sentenced Oct. 31 on charges out of Madison County for attempting to elude police officers, theft by property and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Wednesday, District Judge Bruce Pickett sentenced Castro with two years fixed in jail and 8 years indeterminate, totaling 10 years. The sentence will run concurrent and consecutively to the Madison County sentencing.

Castro stood up before the judge Wednesday and addressed the court expressing his regret. “I’m sorry to the court and anyone involved. Hopefully, that’s not the person I will ever be again. I don’t want my family to have to suffer with me,my 6-year-old and newborn son,” he said.

Castro said he’s battled drug addiction and wants help for it.

Bonneville County prosecutor Daniel Clark opened up his argument with pointing out the prior misdemeanor offenses Castro had dating back to December 2015.

Clark then moved on to focus his argument on why stealing firearms is a felony and how it jeopardizes the safety of the community.

“The case begins with a stolen pickup and joyriding thru Guns ‘N’ Gear. Sixteen firearms were then stolen. 10 still are not found. However, two guns were found in the hands of drug dealers in Pocatello,” Clark said.

Castro will get credit for the time served, said Pickett.

Pickett added,”the behavior was based on addiction.”

Pickett ordered Castro to supply a DNA sample to the court.