A Summerville man has been found guilty of possession of stolen goods in a Berkeley County court, according to Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.

Prosecuted as a repeat offender, Shawn Avery Newell was sentenced to five years in prison and five years probation after his release. 

Dorchester County detectives followed a tip in their search for a stolen 20-foot boat from a Summerville repair shop. They found the stolen motor on Newell's boat in Berkeley County. The motor had been freshly painted and the registration sticker and VIN number had been removed.

Newell had asked the owner of Sheppard’s Marine about the boat multiple times before the motor was stolen, according to the solicitor's office.

Newell has been previously convicted on four counts of grand larceny, three counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and 2nd degree burglary, according to the solicitor's office.

"This case is about a career criminal being held accountable despite his best attempts to conceal his actions," said Assistant Solicitor Ben Shelton. "Multiple jurisdictions worked together and everyday citizens did the right thing to bring justice on behalf of the victims. We are very pleased with the verdict."