NASHUA – Peter Walden, the New Ipswich man charged in November with the theft of $1,350 worth of computer equipment from the Hudson Walmart, can avoid prison time as long as he enters the Nashua Adult Drug Court program and pays Walmart back.

Walden, 42, of 164 Maple St., Apt. 4, entered a plea deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead guilty to the felony theft charge in exchange for a term of 2-4 years in State Prison, all suspended for five years on the condition he follows the stipulations of the sentencing order.

Those stipulations include participation in, and successful completion of, the Drug Court program, that he make restitution of $1,358 to Walmart, participate in any counseling, treatment or educational programs as recommended, have no contact with Walmart stores, and remain on good behavior, according to the sentencing order.

According to the indictment, which the Hillsborough County Superior Court South grand jury handed up in January, Walden entered Walmart, 254 Lowell Road, on Nov. 21 and “exercised unauthorized control over merchandise valued in excess of $1,000 … by removing computer equipment from the store without paying for it … .”

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.