The sentencing of a former maintenance man for burglary and theft of a diamond ring from a Longboat Key woman is set for Dec. 19.
Michael M. Artman, 52, of Bradenton, was arrested in March following a Longboat Key Police Department investigation into a diamond ring reported missing from a woman’s nightstand in the 4800 block of Gulf of Mexico Bay.
The former maintenance man for the Windward Bay condominiums allegedly gained entry into the woman’s home with a key he’d kept from the former job, according to a LKPD report.
Artman signed a plea agreement Nov. 5, acknowledging and waiving his right to defend or appeal the charges, less than a month after his court-appointed defender, Assistant Public Defender James Siegfreid, alleged a coerced police confession in a motion rendered moot with the entry of his plea.
The ring was valued and insured for $85,000, according to the LKPD report.
Brad Smith, who, with his wife, Kassy Smith, own Bridge Street Jewelers, 129 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, spoke to The Islander Nov. 25 from Green Castle, Pennsylvania.
“I’m the victim in all this. I’m out the $6,000 I paid for it. The lady got her diamond back,” he said.
The Smiths said Artman cultivated a relationship with their shop for four years, telling them he was selling jewelry from his mother’s estate.
The Smiths also said they’ve tried to help other people who’ve come to them about jewelry losses since Artman’s arrest, but they’ve been unable to track any missing items.
Smith sold the diamond to a vendor in New York after purchasing it for what they thought was a low price, and “that was our mistake,” he said.
It changed hands four times in New York before an insurance company found the diamond and returned it to the owner, Smith added.
About the possibility of restitution, Smith said, “I could push it, but what would I get from this guy. I’d just rather forget it all.”
According to LKPD’s March 27 report, Artman “also admitted to 10-45 other instances of similar crimes that are being investigated.”
Messages left with the LKPD, asking about any open investigations into the maintenance man’s activities, were not returned at press time.
Assistant State Attorney Courtney Holland said she knew of no ongoing or additional investigation relating to Artman’s crimes.
At Artman’s sentencing, Holland will be recommending prison, and expects the public defender to seek probation.
The second-degree felonies carry a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Artman had been employed by Windward Bay for 17 years, until mid-February when he was fired for a decline in his work.
He was released from Manatee County jail in July on a $4,000 bond and ordered not to contact the victim or any pawn shop.
Artman’s sentencing hearing is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, before 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge John F. Lakin, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.