A Waldorf man caught in a law enforcement sting June 15 seeking to combat the theft of copper wire in the Industrial Park Drive area was sentenced to 45 days in jail by Judge H. James West Monday, Sept. 8.

Cecil Jerome Short, 58 of Waldorf, was nabbed in a joint operation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police. Officers placed a “bait vehicle,” a pickup with a load of copper wire in the back, on Industrial Park Drive in Waldorf after reports of copper thefts in the area.

Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse told the court that as officers were surveying the “bait vehicle” a car driven by the defendant went slowly past the vehicle with another suspect. The two men then drove to the parking lot of the Maryland Independent and Short then exited the vehicle and walked by the truck.

When he attempted to remove the copper wire from the truck, police moved in and arrested him.

The other suspect was not charged.

Short’s attorney, John Getz, told the court that his client works for a scrap metal business in the area.

“He was living in a hotel with his teenage daughter who is attending high school at Thomas Stone,” Getz said. “His daughter has cerebral palsy, and she is his greatest concern. He was in a bad situation and needed money.”

At his sentencing, West told Short, “Really, the amount of money regarding the property is not that great,” he said. “It’s not the property that puts you in this situation, it’s your prior record. If this was a first time offense, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Short has 15 prior cases in either Charles County h District Court or Circuit Court.

“It’s a long list,” Stackhuse noted.

West sentenced Short to 47 days in the Charles County Detention Center with credit for two days already served to be served on 15 consecutive weekends beginning Friday, Sept. 12.

“Because of your prior record, you’re not a good candidate for probation,” West said, “but this will allow you to serve your time on the weekend and still take care of your daughter during the week. That is very much a concern of mine.

“You take care of business and do your time, then you’re on your way,” he added.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com