Libby man sentenced to state prison for burglary charge

A Libby man recently was sentenced to prison following his conviction on a felony burglary charge in a jury trial.

Clifford Scott Admire, 55, initially pleaded not guilty at his April 28, 2024, arraignment. A few days before his trial in late January, Admire sought a new public defender, but Lincoln County District Judge Matt Cuffe denied his request.

Admire was found guilty on Jan. 27. On March 31, Cuffe sentenced him to 15 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 suspended. Admire received 27 days credit for time spent in custody at the county jail. He must also pay $5,403 in restitution.

"I want to apologize to my community and I want to be a role model," Admire said during the hearing. He also sought mercy from the court, claiming a parasite in his blood he got while in Florida.

Admire's public defender Scott B. Johnson sought to have fines and fees waived against his client because of medical issues and because he can't work.

Cuffe mentioned Admire's extensive criminal history while delivering the prison term. Admire had two burglary charges in Nevada with the first resulting in a conviction and a fully suspended sentence.

Admire, who was released on his own recognizance May 6, was returned to the county jail where he awaits his move to Deer Lodge.

According to the charging document, Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy Derek Breiland was dispatched to a location on U.S. 2 on April 9 after two men were reported inside a building trespassing on private property.

Breiland spoke to the property caretaker who said he saw two men, one he identified as Admire, inside a building that housed personal property and valuable goods. 

The caretaker told Breiland that Admire had permission from the landowner to be on the property, but the landowner said that was not the case. Captain John Davis also confirmed this with the landowner. The landowner said he has no idea who Admire is and hadn’t previously talked to him.

When Deputy Breiland spoke to Admire, the accused said he had permission to be on the property from the landowner and offered a printed copy of the property record from Montana Cadastral. Admire allegedly admitted being inside the building, but denied taking anything.

When Breiland investigated, he reported finding a broken door jam from forced entry with fresh pieces of wood on the floor. The caretaker told the officer that Admire’s truck, a red 1998 Ford Ranger, was seen at the entrance to the property about a week ago. According to Breiland, Admire opened a gate and drove into the property. The officer wrote that, “it is common for burglary suspects to surveil a location before trying to gain entry to see if it is occupied or when the owner is not home to avoid detection.”

Breiland reported that Admire had a burglary conviction in February 1999 in Nevada.

A burglary conviction may result in a prison term of 20 years.