An Albert Lea woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in Freeborn County District Court to breaking into multiple homes in the area last fall while searching for prescription drugs.

Lynn Marie Spicer, 47, pleaded guilty to six out of her 10 felony charges of second-degree burglary. She did so as part of a plea agreement between her public defender, Kevin Riha, and Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson.

According to the agreement, Spicer entered a guilty plea to six counts, in exchange for having the remaining four counts be dismissed.

One of those counts was dismissed Tuesday, while the remaining three counts are expected to be dismissed at the time of her sentencing.

According to court documents, the break-ins took place in both Albert Lea and various areas in rural Freeborn County in September and October. Spicer gained entry to the homes by either breaking out windows or kicking or smashing in doors.

Though her charges call for a presumptive sentence of 43 months in prison, Nelson and Riha said they are recommending a downward departure on this sentence, and instead requested that Spicer’s prison time be suspended.

This means she will most likely simply serve probation.

Spicer will only have to go to prison if she violates terms of her probation, according to the agreement. It also states she will make restitution for all 10 break-ins, even the ones she did not plead guilty to.

She will have the opportunity to withdraw her plea if Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab’s sentence differs from the agreement.

In the meantime, Schwab allowed Spicer, who recently completed a state-funded addiction recovery program in Anoka, to be released on her personal promise to appear until sentencing.

He said she is not allowed to have alcohol or mood-altering chemicals except for medications for which she has received a doctor’s prescription. She will be subject to random testing, must sign a waiver of extradition and not be allowed to leave the state without prior approval.

She was advised to continue the steps required following her chemical dependency treatment and to obey the law.

Her sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.