An Arizona man is walking free today after his 292-year prison sentence for non-violent burglary offenses was commuted to 10 years to life.
Atdom Patsalis was 21 years old and living in Bullhead City in 2013 when he was convicted of 25 counts of burglary-related offenses for stealing items from homes, garages and vehicles over a 10-week period.
According to the Arizona Justice Project, which worked for seven years to help lower Patsalis’ sentence, Patsalis was bartering the stolen items in return for a place to stay.
AJP members said that once arrested, Patsalis confessed to the thefts and told police where to find some of the missing items so they could be returned.
In a 2023 Arizona Daily Star article it’s noted that Patsalis’ total haul for the thefts was approximately $5,000 and ranged from a flashlight to a car that was later found abandoned.
He was offered two plea deals, but decided to take the case to trial where he was found guilty on all counts, the article states. Each count was sentenced separately and consecutively. When all was said and done, Patsalis was sentenced to 292 years in prison.
According to the AJP, of 1,750 similar theft cases in Arizona, the average time served was five to seven years.
In May, the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency held a three-hour hearing to discuss Patsalis’ 2013 case, his behavior behind bars, as well as comments from supporters.
Board members unanimously agreed to recommend a commutation of his sentence to a sentence of 10 years to life, making him immediately eligible for release on parole.
In July, Gov. Katie Hobbs granted the board’s recommendation, and on Thursday Patsalis, now a decade older, walked out of prison.
“Each day Atdom worked hard not to lose hope,” his AJP supporters said.
