CORTLAND, NY (CortacaToday) – A Cortland County man will spend over a decade behind bars.

Matthew Clark, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, on charges of felony burglary, felony grand larceny, and felony possession of a forged instrument. Clark, of Truxton, received a 9-year determinate sentence for burglary, and 2-4 years each for the other crimes, though they will be served concurrently.

According to Cortland County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti, Clark was arrested nine times over seven months in 2023. He calls bail reform ‘misguided,’ and says it creates risks for law enforcement, private citizens, and in some cases, offenders.

“This is an example of how cashless bail harms those it was most intended to benefit,” said Perfetti. “Had pre-trial detention been permitted earlier, diversion resources might have been able to be accessed for Clark.”

Clark will additionally be sentenced for criminal possession of a weapon in the Willet Town Court later in August.