AUGUSTA (AP) — A former Clinton man who cut down hundreds of cedar trees on his neighbors’ property and sold them as fence posts has avoided serious jail time.

Gregory Hanson pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of theft by unauthorized taking for cutting down about 300 cedars on the private property of three neighbors between October 2013 and March 15. Prosecutors say the 23-year-old Hanson turned the trees into finished fence posts that were put up for sale.

The Kennebec Journal (http://bit.ly/1v0N5PE ) reported that his two-year jail sentenced was suspended in its entirety, except for 10 days, which will be spent in an alternative sentencing program in February.

He was also ordered to pay almost $7,500 in restitution, which his lawyer said he has already paid.