TRUMAN — A Truman man is facing multiple felony charges in Martin County.

Skiler John Hovenga, 28, has been charged with burglary in the second degree, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine; attempted theft of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine; drug possession in the fifth degree, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine; and attempted theft, which carries a maximum penalty of 45 days in prison and a $1,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On Sept. 14, Truman police officers were dispatched to an address in the 500 block of East First Street South in Truman on a report of a burglary. An officer spoke with the complainant, a male relative of Hovenga. The man said Hovenga had gone into a neighbor’s house.

The officer made contact with the neighbor, who said Hovenga was still inside the residence. The neighbor said Hovenga had attempted to steal several items, including two rifles.

The officer entered the residence and observed a steel gun cabinet open in the living room and an AK-style rifle lying on the floor. The officer then went to a bedroom where he observed an AR-15 style rifle also lying on the floor. The officer then made contact with Hovenga and a female relative of Hovenga.

Hovenga was placed under arrest, and was led from the residence. The woman turned over two plastic baggies containing a crystal substance and a folded dollar bill, indicating the items belonged to Hovenga. She indicated she had observed Hovenga remove the dollar bill from his right sock and she believed he had another one still there.

The officer searched Hovenga and discovered a butane torch and a greenish-colored glass meth pipe in his right front pants pocket. The officer also located a folded dollar bill containing several chunks of a crystal substance. Hovenga was transported to the Martin County jail.

The officer spoke with the neighbor, who said he and his girlfriend had been at the complainant’s house for supper. The man indicated Hovenga was also there and, at one point, took a plate of food,said he was going inside and left. He said it was a short time later when he returned to his house and noticed the gun safe open and his gun on the floor.

The man said he then went to his bedroom, where he located Hovenga with the AR-15 rifle. He said that when he confronted Hovenga, he observed Hovenga was wearing his high school class ring. He said he made Hovenga empty his pockets onto the bed.

He indicated Hovenga removed a necklace that belonged to him, was well as the two bags containing the crystal substance. He said Hovenga had gone through several cabinets and a suitcase that belonged to his girlfriend. He also said Hovenga did not have permission to be in his house, and indicated he did not trust Hovenga because of Hovenga’s drug problems.

The officer interviewed Hovenga at the Martin County Law Enforcement Center. Hovenga was read his rights and said he understood. Hovenga denied trying to steal anything and said he entered the house to wait for the man so they could play video games.

When questioned about the bags of meth, Hovenga denied knowing anything about it. Hovenga said he found the dollar bill located in his sock in the middle of the street.