Accused Hill guitar thieves sentenced

09/03/2006 4:35 PM, AP


Two men accused of stealing guitars once used by Faith Hill and Nickelback have been sentenced to probation. Jeffrey H. Lanahan, 44, was accused of stealing at least a dozen instruments from his employer, Paul Reed Smith Guitars. He gave them to Michael J. Kelly, 42, accused of passing them along to another man who sold them on eBay.

Lanahan and Kelly, who had pleaded guilty, were sentenced Friday. Circuit Judge Ronald A. Silkworth ordered Lanahan to serve three months of house arrest and five years of probation. Kelly was sentenced to three years' probation.

Both men must undergo evaluation for drugs and alcohol, as well as pay restitution for the stolen guitars. Of the nearly $60,000 worth of guitars, all but $21,050 worth were recovered. Lanahan agreed to pay $21,050 in restitution, while Kelly will pay $5,000.

Lanahan and Kelly apologized.

Lanahan worked for the company for eight years until he left in 2004. His task of delivering guitars allowed him to establish relationships with clients, such as U2 and Jimmy Buffett. Company officials reported the missing guitars to police in May 2005. An investigator found a man selling the merchandise on eBay and traced it to Lanahan and Kelly.