3.5 years is excessive though jesus. THREE YEARS just for stealing electricity? Man I am glad I don't live in China, sounds like a horrible place to live.
I think a more reasonable sentence is three months, or possibly even just long community service, what a joke.
He apparently stole $15k worth though (if I understood the article correctly anyway), which is already felony theft in the US. I tried to do a little research, and as far as the US goes, it apparently comes with up to 5 years of prison time along with a fine, but it's still largely up to the judge. I know China's human rights record is spotty at best, but this doesn't look overly oppressive to me.
But yeah, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.