Austin man sentenced to prison time on felony theft by swindle, theft charges in Mower County District Court

An Austin man who fraudulently acquired more than $6,000 in merchandise from an Austin auto parts store starting on November 30th, 2020 through May of 2021 has been sentenced to prison time in Mower County District Court.

40-year-old Steven Aaron Craig Brandt was sentenced Friday to 17 months in prison, plus $7,239 in restitution on a felony charge of theft by swindle.  Brandt was convicted on the charge on December 27th, 2022, and he was also sentenced to 17 months in prison, and just over $13,000 in restitution on a felony charge of theft, taking, using or transferring movable property without the owner’s consent stemming from an incident that occurred in Mower County on July 25th, 2021.  Judge Natalie Martinez determined that Brandt will be allowed to serve the two sentences concurrently, and Brandt was convicted on the charge on December 27th, 2022 after pleading guilty the same day.

A felony 3rd degree burglary charge, plus a misdemeanor 4th degree damage to property charge against Brandt stemming from the July 25th, 2021 incident were both dismissed with his guilty plea.