A Des Moines man is heading to prison after violating probation tied to a prior felony conviction in Menominee County. Thirty-nine-year-old Justin Christian Staley was sentenced to 18 months to 6 years in prison on April 23rd by Judge Christopher Ninomiya in 41st Circuit Court. The sentence stems from a probation violation connected to a 2022 felony conviction for larceny in a building. Court records show the original case involved Staley taking a wallet that had been left on a counter at the Holy Smokes tobacco shop in Menominee.

Staley had previously been sentenced to 12 months in the Menominee County Jail in March of 2023 as a second habitual offender. During sentencing, Judge Ninomiya told Staley the court had given him multiple opportunities to succeed—but said prison became necessary after Staley absconded from supervision, failed to report, and used methamphetamine while on probation. Menominee County Prosecutor Jeffrey Rogg says Staley’s criminal history spans multiple states, with five felony and 16 misdemeanor convictions. No further court action is scheduled at this time.