AUBURN — A local man who pledged to turn his life around has pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge and several misdemeanors stemming from two incidents earlier this year.

Devin Charest, 21, of 139 Monroe St. pleaded guilty to one count of Class C theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, punishable by up to five years in prison, in a July burglary of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but two and a half years of that sentence were suspended in a plea agreement. He also was sentenced to two years of probation.

Charest, who was charged with two other men in a May robbery, wrote a letter to the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office saying he was ready to make a fresh start for himself, as well as his girlfriend and the child they are expecting in December. He wrote that he grew up not seeing his biological father who was in and out of prison and didn’t want that same relationship for his child.

“It’s a good letter,” Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice MaryGay Kennedy told him. “You write well. I wish you very, very good luck with your child and girlfriend.”

Prosecutors dropped the robbery charge, which was punishable by up to 30 years in prison. They also dropped a misdemeanor charge of violation of conditions of release and a felony burglary charge stemming from the May incident.

Charest pleaded guilty to burglary of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to six months, to be served at the same time as the theft sentence. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and unlawful possession of a scheduled drug. He was sentenced to six months, which he’ll serve at the same time as the other two sentences.

He also was fined $700. Combined with fees, the amount he will owe when he is released from prison roughly totals $895.

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