State champion basketball coach sentenced for stealing drugs
Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2005
ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- The coach of Orange City Unity Christian High School's state championship boys basketball team has been sentenced to a month in jail for stealing prescription painkillers.
Barry Miedema, 48, of Orange City, pleaded guilty in Sioux County District Court to felony third-degree burglary and misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree theft and unlawful possession of prescription medications.
District Judge Jeffrey A. Neary sentenced Miedema to 180 days in jail on the misdemeanor charges and suspended all but 30 days of the sentence. Miedema also must pay $577 restitution for the stolen medication and more than $1,000 in fines and court costs.
Miedema received a deferred judgment and probation for the burglary charge. He also must pay a $750 fine, complete 150 hours of community service and undergo a mediation program with his victims.
According to the Sioux County Attorney's Office, the charges stemmed from two incidents. In March 2005 a Sioux Center, Iowa, resident reported that he came home and found Miedema in his kitchen. Miedema had explained he was looking for paint samples. Miedema later confessed to police that he was looking for prescription pain medication on which he had become dependent.
Miedema also was charged with a 2003 break-in at an Orange City house. Miedema confessed to police that he had entered the home several times and stolen medication.
Miedema has undergone treatment at a Minnesota facility for depression and addiction to pain medication.
The school has suspended Miedema from coaching and teaching duties for the upcoming school year. In March, Miedema led Unity Christian to its fourth basketball state championship, defeating Nodaway Valley of Greenfield 62-54 in the Class 2A final.
Barry Miedema, 48, of Orange City, pleaded guilty in Sioux County District Court to felony third-degree burglary and misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree theft and unlawful possession of prescription medications.
District Judge Jeffrey A. Neary sentenced Miedema to 180 days in jail on the misdemeanor charges and suspended all but 30 days of the sentence. Miedema also must pay $577 restitution for the stolen medication and more than $1,000 in fines and court costs.
Miedema received a deferred judgment and probation for the burglary charge. He also must pay a $750 fine, complete 150 hours of community service and undergo a mediation program with his victims.
According to the Sioux County Attorney's Office, the charges stemmed from two incidents. In March 2005 a Sioux Center, Iowa, resident reported that he came home and found Miedema in his kitchen. Miedema had explained he was looking for paint samples. Miedema later confessed to police that he was looking for prescription pain medication on which he had become dependent.
Miedema also was charged with a 2003 break-in at an Orange City house. Miedema confessed to police that he had entered the home several times and stolen medication.
Miedema has undergone treatment at a Minnesota facility for depression and addiction to pain medication.
The school has suspended Miedema from coaching and teaching duties for the upcoming school year. In March, Miedema led Unity Christian to its fourth basketball state championship, defeating Nodaway Valley of Greenfield 62-54 in the Class 2A final.
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Tanner and Adam wrote on Aug 5, 2006 10:00 PM: