A 24-year-old Burleigh County jail inmate the sheriff has called a "continuous problem" was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for crimes he committed while in jail.

Michael Meyers pleaded guilty to five of six charges he racked up during his seven-month stay in the Burleigh County jail. He was originally being held on a May conspiracy to commit robbery charge that is scheduled to go before a jury in March.

While in jail, Meyers tore sprinkler heads from the ceiling of the jail, spit on a detention officer, assaulted a fellow inmate and broke a light fixture.

South Central District Judge Donald Jorgensen ordered a pre-sentence investigation, but Meyers' attorney, Kent Morrow, protested. Morrow said his client wanted to be sentenced immediately so he could be transferred to the state penitentiary.

"For his benefit and the benefit of the (Burleigh County jail) staff it's best to get him out of here and to the penitentiary," Morrow said.

Jorgensen sentenced Meyers to five years in prison for spitting on an officer. Meyers will be sentenced on the remaining charges in four to six months after a presentence investigation.

Meyers also is charged with aggravated assault for punching an inmate and breaking his nose.

(Reach reporter Mike Albrecht at 250-8261 or cops@ndonline.com.)