Teen pleads guilty to armed robbery; three men sentenced for break-ins





A local teenager was handed a 40-year sentence Monday for his role in a rash of armed robberies in Richmond and Burke counties.

Donovan Owens, 18, pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery for his part in holding up the Keysville Community Store in August 2007 and two Richmond County stores in January 2008.

Superior Court Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet sentenced Owens to 20 years in prison and another 20 on probation following a recommendation from assistant district attorney Brooks Hudson. If Owens cooperates in the cases against his three co-defendants, his sentence could be cut in half.

If Owens had not accepted the plea bargain and been found guilty of his original charges, which included additional counts of gang-related activity and firearms violations, he could have faced four life terms plus up to 60 years, according to Hudson.

Though the DA’s office had a taped confession from Owens, his mother nearly deterred him from accepting the plea negotiation.

She insisted that “crooked cops” coerced her son into admitting guilt.

Judge Overstreet warned her that her arguments might land her son in prison for life.

“Son, I’m not prejudging your case but every day you spend in jail for the rest of your life, you can thank your mother,” he said before Owens decided to enter his plea.

Three other Burke County men were sentenced for unrelated break-ins Monday, including:

• Eddie Lamar Jackson, 49, pleaded guilty to burglary for breaking into a Waynesboro home in February 2008 and taking a 12-guage shotgun, a television, jewelry and computer equipment. The loot was valued at around $11,600. Judge Overstreet sentenced Jackson to four years in prison and six on probation. Jackson will also be required to pay $6,500 restitution for stolen goods that were not recovered.

• Damien Chance, 20, pleaded guilty to burglary for breaking into his aunt’s Quaker Road Court home in January. Judge Overstreet sentenced Chance to four years in prison and two years probation. Chance, who was already on probation, will have his probation revoked and must also pay a $1,000 fine.

• Steven James Wilcher, 21, pleaded guilty to burglary (safe/ vault) and theft by taking for stealing cash and 20 gallons of gas from Knight’s Meat Packing last July. Wilcher, who has been in jail since then, was sentenced to six years probation, fined $1,000 and required to pay $210 restitution. Wilcher had no prior record and was sentenced as a first offender.


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