WATERLOO - A former John Deere employee received probation in lieu of prison time Monday after pleading guilty to charges that he stole 12 tractors or implements over the course of 17 months.

Gaylen Hicok, 56, of Charles City, will have to pay more than $28,000 in fines and fees, however. Judge Todd Geer also imposed a 10-year suspended prison sentence, which means if Hicok doesn't finish his probation or commits another offense he could risk going to prison for the full term.

Hicok apologized for his actions.

"I'm very genuinely remorseful for what's happened," he said.

Hicok pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree theft and four counts of second-degree theft in April. Since then, he also has paid more than $170,000 in restitution to people affected by the theft.

Hicok, the former supervisor of the publications department at John Deere's Donald Street site, took nine tractors and three tractor loaders between July 2006 and December 2007. The total amount taken was estimated at $313,000, according to police records.

Hicok sold four of the tractors to area farmers.

Hicok blamed some of his actions on mental and physical ailments, including depression caused by hyperthyroidism. Since his arrest in June 2008, he said he has gotten his problems under control through therapy and medication.

"I want this to be over," he said. "I don't want to have this happen again.

Four people testified during the hearing in support of Hicok, stating he was a pillar of the community in Charles City, and that he's been truly remorseful since his arrest.

Assistant County Attorney Joel Dalrymple argued that Hicok's actions that led to his arrest - not his reaction to it - are the important factors. Dalrymple said the thefts spanned several months and were worth large sums of money.

"It wasn't an isolated incident," he said. "It wasn't something he had done and then in retrospect said 'That was really dumb."

Dalrymple recommended imposing a 10-year prison sentence.

Gary Boveia, Hicok's attorney, said the theft was "totally out of character" and argued that it'd be counter productive to incarcerate his client.

"I believe under the circumstances the best results would be where he would get a sentence that doesn't involve incarceration," Boveia said.

Geer called Hicok's actions a "breach of trust" and that there was a compelling argument for prison time, but said his actions after his graft was revealed and community support also helped keep him out of prison.