St. Charles burglar referred to boot camp

A Kane County judge Wednesday recommended boot camp for a St. Charles man who has been convicted of burglary twice this year.

But if Casey Fecteau isn't accepted into the camp, the 19-year-old will face a four-year prison term, Circuit Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon ruled.

Fecteau, of the 1200 block of Ronzheimer Avenue, pleaded guilty in July to his role in a pair of May 6 burglaries in St. Charles Township's Valley View neighborhood. The thefts occurred less than two months after he pleaded guilty to stealing a safe from a St. Charles school and was put on probation.

On Wednesday, Sheldon said he considered Fecteau's young age in referring him to boot camp, also known as "impact incarceration." Whether Fecteau is accepted into the 120- to 180-day program, however, will be decided by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"I hope it's a resource that can change your attitude," Sheldon told Fecteau. "It might be something that will get your attention."

In his latest case, Fecteau was one of two men charged with burglarizing the Valley View homes. Police said both thefts occurred after Fecteau and a co-defendant entered through unlocked doors while the owners were home.

The men were arrested after police found them to be in possession of items reported stolen in the burglaries. Police said they had been camping out on an island on the Fox River in St. Charles when they were taken into custody.

At sentencing, Fecteau blamed his criminal behavior on drugs and alcohol.

"Every time I've ever committed a crime it's been because I was under the influence or trying to get my hands on drugs," he said. "I feel terrible for what I've done. I just want to put this behind me."

If Fecteau is not accepted into boot camp, he must serve at least two years of his prison term.