NEWBURYPORT (AP) – A Salisbury man was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of breaking into a crypt and removing remains, authorities said.
Neil Goodwin, 19, will serve that time after his one-year sentence for violation of probation, the Essex district attorney’s office said in a statement.
Goodwin pleaded guilty in Newburyport District Court to charges of disinterring a body, and disturbing a grave. Prosecutors said he broke into a Newburyport cemetery crypt on Aug. 17.
Judge Peter Doyle sentenced Goodwin to 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction, with 18 months to be served. Upon his release, Goodwin will be on probation for three years.
The judge also ordered Goodwin to be evaluated by the court clinic. Goodwin also must make restitution to the city, with the amount to be determined at a hearing in January.
