Richard Van Arsdale III, 21, pleaded guilty to residential burglary in an agreement at a March 9 status hearing.

Van Arsdale was sentenced to nine years in the department of corrections for the charge and all other charges were dropped, said Phil Montgomery, DeKalb County Assistant State’s Attorney.

Van Arsdale was one of two former NIU students charged in connection with the April 5, 2011 shooting of NIU linebacker Devon Butler.

Clay Campbell, DeKalb County State’s Attorney, said Van Arsdale agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of Mark Orozco, which is why all other charges were dropped. Orozco is the alleged shooter, and if his case goes to trial, Van Arsdale agreed to testify against Orozco, Campbell said.

In a prepared statement, Van Arsdale said he apologized to Butler, his family and the community for his actions.

“I can never erase the blot I put on my character and on my family’s name,” Van Arsdale said.

Judge William Brady said he learned over the years that “good people can do bad things.”

“You can’t change history, but you can make sure the future doesn’t look like the past,” Brady said.

Van Arsdale posted $15,785.97 in restitution and $5,000 to the DeKalb Police Department for officers who had to work overtime on the investigation of the case.

The charge of residential burglary is a Class 1 felony, and Van Arsdale must serve at least 50 percent of his sentence. Upon his release, Van Arsdale will be placed on parole for two years.