Now they get to face charges in Wake County... Trio Plead Guilty To 198 Charges Stemming From 30 Break-In’s Three people have received prison terms in connection with 30 break-ins in 2011 in Johnston County. The alleged ringleader, Anthony Lewis Cole, 27, of Fayetteville was convicted last week on 98 charges including 30 counts of felony breaking and entering, 29 counts of felony larceny, one count of attempted larceny, 7 counts of larceny of a firearm, 6 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and 25 counts of conspiracy to commit felony breaking and entering and larceny. Cole received a 57 to 71 months prison sentence. His two co-defendants, Serena Brock, 31, of Clayton and Jessica Nicole Martin, 26, of Newton Grove received a more lenient sentence because of their subordinate roles in the crimes and their cooperation with investigators with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. Brock pled guilty to 5 counts of felony breaking and entering, 5 counts of larceny, and three counts of conspiracy to commit felony breaking and entering and larceny. She received a 4 to 5 month active sentence plus was ordered to spend an additional 60 days in jail. Martin pled guilty to 28 break-ins, 26 larcenies, 2 attempted larceny, and 26 counts of conspiracy to commit felony breaking and entering and larceny. She received an 8 to 10 month sentence plus an additional 60 days in jail. A break in the burglary spree came in November 2011 when a deputy caught Cole and Martin at a home on Mt. Pleasant Church Road. Their car parked in the driveway was filled with items stolen from numerous break-ins. “The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the fine work of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives M.E. Lambert and B.D. Murphy worked very diligently to solve these crimes and should be commended,” stated Paul Jackson, Assistant District Attorney, who prosecuted the cases. “The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office recognizes these types of crimes are very serious and constitute a personal violation to the homeowners who are victimized. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who invade the homes of our law abiding citizens.”
This really strikes me the judicial system is either clearly broken or has no recourse but to lightly sentence individuals because of over crowding. Here we have a convicted felon, with stolen weapons, found guilty of dozens of felony break-and-entering, with dozens of additional charges as icing on the cake. But let's not even consider the 'loose change' and consider ONLY the felony breaking and entering. And let's also consider ONLY the 57 months, as if he's a good-boy, he'll be out by then, most likely sooner. . . That's a couple months for each felony break-and-entering for a convicted felon. An awesome knee-slappin' deal for Mr. Cole. Not so much for us.
I agree, 4.5 years seems a little light on the sentence, but incarceration is not cheap. We want to cut taxes, yet we do not want to loose services. Even California this year voted to reform their 3 Strikes rule, they just can't afford it anymore.
I'm of the firm belief that if a tent and MREs are good enough for a soldier, then they are more than sufficient for a convict.
He only needs to go to prison if they're going to let him out everyday to work off every dime he owes to the people he robbed. Then if he does it again, cut his left hand off. Remind him next time we'll cut his right hand off and strap him to a pedal generator and sell the electricity he generates.
hey the guy in the white house has said time and again it is an outdated document, that spends WAY too much time saying what the gov cannot do to you and no where near enough stuff about what it can do for you. Cutting of a hand could do a lot for a career criminal IMO.
I could give a crap about him learning a lesson. He's a convicted felon, so he's basically given the middle finger to society about "learning a lesson". So needless to say, that means absolutely nothing to me. What I DO care about is him not being on the loose contemplating his next break-in, which he WILL do shortly after his next release.
So, as far as you're concerned, all sentences for felonies should be life, right? I AM a convicted felon. I made my mistake thirty years ago. I was given a seven year sentence, but was able to get out in 4 years 8 months, after another year and a half of parole, I was free. The prison sentence straightened me out. I got a college degree and, after finishing my responsibility to the state, got a job and have never broken the law again. Thank the good Lord there are not more buttheads like you who are so ready to slam the door on young people who might have made a stupid mistake. If you had your way, I would still be in prison living off of your tax money. Instead I am a contributing member of society who pays my taxes and then has to put up with idiots like you who open their mouth to talk about things they really have no idea about.
How the hell did you get life sentence out of his response?? Is this guy by chance a repeat offender? If he is at what point do you stop trying to rehabilitate? Butthead and idiot?? I guess he struck a nerve with you. So what did you do to become a felon??
I agree with that part or your post. Common sense will tell you that victim restitution should be the initial goal. The stupid debt to society payment and the myth that repeat offenders will change, should be secondary. The criminal justice system is broken. They're more interested in getting the victim to fill out their stupid victim report than they are in actually incarcerating repeat felons. They did it with the guy that robbed me. Tell the victims that we're charging them accordingly, but come trial day reduce the case load with the standard plea down process. And the actual felonious act of the criminal magically diminishes. Leave it to lawyers to develop that "LA LA land" logic. There's better justice delivered in Judge Judy's court than in our justice system!!
Yes, I have noticed there's a lot of inference and commentary of what someone else is thinking rather than posting here at 4042.com, so I will try my best to more clear.
