The man found guilty by a jury of multiple crimes he committed in the process of stealing a woman’s Roseville home and setting her sentimental possessions on fire was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday afternoon.

Joseph Hodge, 32, dismissed his trial attorney prior to sentencing and proceeded to argue Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle without the help of his former defense counsel, Nicole Churchill.

Litle asked Judge Kelly Cottrill to impose 42 years, saying Hodge had committed the ultimate form of every felony he had been convicted of committing, which includes:

• Aggravated burglary (two counts), first-degree felonies
• Forgery (two counts), fifth-degree felonies
• Vandalism, fourth-degree felony
• Arson, fourth-degree felony
• Tampering with evidence, third-degree felony
• Tampering with records, third-degree felony
• Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (two counts), first-degree felonies

One week ago, Hodge’s girlfriend and co-defendant, Jessica Eblin, was sentenced to 12 years on similar charges for her part in forging documentation that gave the couple legal ownership of a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

However, the prosecution said Hodge was different, highlighting a 2008 burglary case from his prior record and a pending case in Fairfield County consisting of eight felony charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and grand theft.

“Mr. Hodge was the central player in the utilization of violence,” said Litle.

Although members of the jury found Hodge not guilty of the attached firearm specifications, Litle said the threat to kill the victim, Miranda Thomas, and her family was very real and had the same effect regardless of whether the alleged gun was toy.

Litle said Thomas was an innocent victim who “did nothing at all to bring on the onslaught that Mr. Hodge brought on against her.”

When it came to the charge of aggravated burglary, Litle said Hodge ran Thomas out of her own house after threatening harm. Unlike most home invasions, Litle said it was not drug related. Thomas was simply not living in the house at the time due to heating complications.

Regarding the forgery charges, Litle said Hodge’s crime was unique compared to the typical bad check valuing less than $1,000. Instead, Hodge forged the deed to a house and convinced government agents it was legitimate.

As for vandalism, Litle again explained how Hodge’s charge differed from its usual manifestation such as kicking the door of a police cruiser. Instead, vandalism in Hodge’s case was “destroying a family’s entire legacy,” said Litle.

In terms of arson, Litle said not only did Hodge burn the victim’s family heirlooms in front of her, he did it while yelling at the police and managed to get away with it at the time.

For tampering with records, Litle said the chaos Hodge caused within the county recorder’s office was the “most on point thing he could do to tamper with records.”

All those counts led up to the first-degree felony charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, which Litle also said precisely met the definition of the crime.

“Everything he did on this list was the worst form of the offense,” said Litle.

Hodge had very little to add when it was his turn to address the Court. 

“I plan to exercise my right to appeal, but since the headlines are involved … Believe nothing of what you hear and nothing of what you see in this case,” said Hodge.

Cottrill went on to impose a 20 year aggregate sentence.

“I’ll note that Mr. Hodge shows complete lack of remorse and accountability,” said Cottrill.

The judge also ordered Hodge pay the victim $184,900 in restitution.

For more details surrounding the case, also see: 

• Man accused of forging ownership of Roseville house convicted by jury,
• Woman pleads guilty to her part in forging ownership to Roseville Home
• Woman who helped steal historic Roseville house sentenced to 12 years