Dateline: April 9, 2009

Probation sentence reached for dorm burglar

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The spring break burglary of several Clarendon College dorm rooms has resulted in one man confessing and being placed on probation.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his office arrested 23-year-old Kalvin Kirkendall on March 26 on a charge of making a false report to a peace officer. The charge was later changed to burglary.

Blackburn said an investigation resulted in the recovery of several stolen items, and he said eyewitnesses reported the accused had possession of stolen property.

The sheriff said Kirkendall confessed to the crime, and the accused went before the district court on April 1 represented by legal counsel April Palmer of Amarillo.

According to District Attorney Luke Inman’s office, Kirkendall pleaded guilty to a second degree felony and was placed on deferred adjudication for a period of five years for the second degree felony of burglary of a habitation.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Kirkendall is required to pay a $5,000 fine, restitution of $1,885, and court costs of $390.00. If Kirkendall violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.