By ROXANA HEGEMAN ~ Associated Press

WICHITA (AP) – Prosecutors are urging a federal judge to sentence to prison the former public works director who stole a bulldozer, tractors and other heavy equipment from Barber County.

Steven Collier has pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from Barber County in 2010 and agreed to pay $116,310 in restitution. He sought probation, saying he stole because of a so-called toxic extramarital affair with a “manipulative” woman.

But prosecutors in a filing this week asked the court to sentence him at the low end of the 12 to 18 months recommended under sentencing guidelines. They cited the duration of the thefts and their planning.

The government also noted five extramarital affairs, including one after his indictment. They said while some money went to his ex-girlfriend, most went to the Colliers.