Plea Deal Reached For Miller Man Accused Of Draining Fuel Tanks

A Miller man arrested last November by Huron police accused of drilling holes in gas tanks has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Michael Gabriel pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of intentional damage to property. Twenty three charges were dismissed in the deal. They included eight counts each of intentional damage to property and tampering with a motor vehicle. Other dismissed charges included two for possession of a controlled substance for prescription drugs and various theft charges for stealing from vehicles and businesses. Gabriel tried to siphon gasoline from eight vehicles in Huron by drilling holes in their gas tanks. He was arrested a short time after police obtained a suspect and vehicle description from witnesses and surveillance video. As a part of the plea deal, no additional charges will be filed in the case if new information comes forward. The plea agreement includes eight-thousand dollars in restitution for damages and a recommendation that the sentences run at the same time. Intentional damage to property is a Class four felony. Gabriel could get 10 years in prison and a 20-thousand dollar fine. Judge Jon Erickson ordered a pre-sentence investigation. A sentencing date has not been set.