Bates sentenced

Arlee Duwayne Bates, 49, of Weston County, was sentenced on July 31, 2025, to six to 10 years of imprisonment for theft, a felony. 

According to court documents, on or about Dec. 30, 2024, Bates knowingly took and used a vehicle belonging to another person without authorization, with the value of the vehicle being $1,000 or more. The stolen vehicle was a dark gray 2011 Kia Forte. 

The vehicle was later found wrecked off of U.S. Highway 85 and Bates was questioned by police after a call from Weston County Health Services regarding a car crash injury. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Bates was known by officer Jacob Esposito through previous law enforcement experiences and Bates had been charged for stealing motor vehicles before this incident. 

Bates was also charged with felony destruction of property and criminal entry, a misdemeanor, in relation to the incident. Bates pleaded guilty to the felony theft charge on April 21.

The court found that Bates is not a suitable candidate for probation and that “a term of incarceration is appropriate given the facts and circumstances of the offender and this case,” according to the sentencing documents. 

The documents note that Bates is an “addicted offender” under the Addicted Offender Accountability Act. 

In addition to the prison sentence, Bates was ordered to pay a number of fees and restitution to the victim. This includes a $40 Judicial Systems Automation fee, a $10 Indigent Civil Legal Services Fee, a $150 surcharge for victims, a $75 ASI/ASAM fee and $500 in restitution to the victim. Public defender fees of $500 were assessed, but $250 of that was waived due to Bates’ inability to pay. He will receive 170 days of credit for time served.

The case was prosecuted by Weston County and Prosecuting Attorney Michael Stulken. Sixth Judicial District Court Judge James Michael Causey imposed the sentence.