FARMINGTON — A local man pleaded guilty Friday to lesser charges in connection to the beating of a Livermore man and destroying an all-terrain vehicle in August 2010.

Zachary Haines, 19, of Farmington pleaded guilty to felony aggravated criminal mischief and assault in a plea agreement with the state. He also pleaded guilty to violating a condition of release in another case.

Haines was initially charged with arson and aggravated assault along with Jesse Coffin, 21, of Kingfield and Zebbie Thomas, 18, of Jay.

According to District Attorney James Andrews, if the case had gone to trial, testimony would have shown that Thomas asked a Livermore man to drive him to Farmington where they picked up Coffin and Haines. The Livermore man would testify that the three forced him to drive them wherever they wanted to go or they would beat him up, Andrews said.

The victim would also testify that he drove them to the Whistle-Stop Trail where Coffin, Thomas and Haines pulled out an ATV that had been stolen and set it on fire by sticking a piece of paper in the gas tank and lighting it, he said.

The victim would also testify that eventually he was forced to drive them to the municipal parking lot behind Trantens in Farmington, and the three repeatedly punched him and kicked him, Andrews said.

The victim drove himself to a hospital. A Farmington police officer went to the hospital where the victim was getting stitches. The officer would have testified there were injuries that were consistent with what would be caused by brass knuckles, he said. The officer also went to the site of the beating and found the victim’s cellphone and other evidence, Andrews said. It is unknown who used the brass knuckles, he said.

“There have been disagreements about who did what and at what time,” Haines’ attorney, Kevin Joyce, said.

Haines told the judge he has never been convicted of a felony.

Andrews said Haines’ only previous conviction was on a charge of misdemeanor prize fighting.

Justice Michaela Murphy sentenced Haines to serve 90 days for violating a condition of release. Murphy continued sentencing on the other charges for two years.

Haines entered into a two-year deferred disposition with the state that requires him to follow conditions of the agreement. If he completes the two years successfully, he then may withdraw his guilty pleas and plead to lesser charges.

Co-defendant Coffin pleaded no contest in February to aggravated criminal mischief and assault.

Justice Murphy found him guilty and sentenced him to serve nine months and a day of a three-year sentence to the Department of Corrections and two years probation on the aggravated criminal mischief charge. She also ordered him to serve nine months and one day on the assault charge to run concurrent with the mischief charge.

Thomas pleaded guilty in February to aggravated criminal mischief and assault. He also pleaded guilty to criminal mischief for a different case that involved a window and door being damaged on Franklin Road in Jay last summer. Justice Murphy sentenced Thomas to serve 90 days in jail for the Jay criminal mischief charge and a juvenile probation revocation charge.

Thomas also entered into a two-year deferred disposition on the felony charges of assault and aggravated criminal mischief. If he successfully completes the agreement, Thomas will be allowed to withdraw his guilty pleas to the felony charges and plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges.

dperry@sunjournal.com