Watertown man convicted at burglary trial, sentencing set for Nov. 23
A Jefferson County jury found Richard Wagar guilty of third-degree burglary; court records list guilty pleas on his two other indictments.
By the ClickNNY North Country Desk
A Watertown man was found guilty of third-degree burglary in Jefferson County Court and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 23 on three indictments, according to New York state court records. The case involves a jury verdict on one indictment and guilty pleas recorded in two others.
Jury verdict in February 2025 case
A Jefferson County jury found Richard D. Wagar, about 46, guilty of third-degree burglary, a class D felony, along with misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. The verdict stems from a Feb. 22, 2025, incident, according to the court record.
Watertown City Police arrested Wagar in August 2025. The trial was held in Jefferson County Court in September.
Third-degree burglary is a felony charge under New York law. Jefferson County Court handles felony trials, and Judge David A. Renzi is listed by the New York State Unified Court System's 5th Judicial District as a Jefferson County Court judge.
Two other indictments
The records for two additional indictments list guilty pleas rather than jury verdicts.
In a case from February 2026, the record says Wagar pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary. The plea covers a reduced second-degree burglary charge and related counts of contempt and petit larceny.
In a case from October 2025, the record lists a guilty plea to third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony. That plea covers burglary, grand larceny and stolen-property counts.
The October 2025 entry includes the notation “Plea Withdrawn, Arraigned, Pled Guilty.” The Jefferson County Court clerk's office handles County Court filings at 175 Arsenal Street in Watertown.
The October case was connected in earlier accounts to a reported Wealtha Avenue break-in on Oct. 1, after which Watertown police charged Wagar with multiple burglary and grand larceny counts. Bail was set at $25,000, according to that account.
What happens next
Renzi is scheduled to sentence Wagar on all three indictments Nov. 23. Sentencing dates can change, and a conviction may be appealed.
Court updates can be checked through the New York state WebCrims defendant search. Information about the Jefferson County Clerk's office is available on the county clerk's website, and the judge's court is listed on the 5th Judicial District's Jefferson Supreme and County Court page.
ClickNNY first reported on the case in September, when the indictments were set for trial.
Written from an official public record and reviewed by a ClickNNY editor before publication.
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