Sentence of 100 days given to jewelry thief in plea deal

A man will serve 100 days in jail after accepting a plea agreement during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings on June 10 after stealing jewelry from a New Kent residence.

Corky Lee Hendricks, 32, of 703 Adams Road, Science Hill, Kentucky, pled guilty to one count of grand larceny and one count of breaking and entering into the home of Jeri-Douglas Thornton and Eric John Thornton on March 31 of last year.

After Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory gave a summary of evidence to the court, Judge Thomas B. Hoover read a victim impact statement of the emotion that Jeri-Douglas Thornton continues to experience despite the event occurring more than a year ago.

“My memories were in those boxes,” read the judge. “I didn’t keep a lot of history, but the jewelry was heirlooms of my family and history.”

Despite Hendricks’ apology, Hoover questioned the whereabouts of the stolen items. Hendricks responded by saying he sold the merchandise in West Virginia when returning to Kentucky and used the money for drugs and travel expenses.

“It was expensive, but the jewelry had more of a sentimental value,” Hoover said, scolding the defendant. “You stole to support a selfish habit.

“As Mrs. Thornton said, you had this stranger go through her personal property. You just don’t feel the same after someone has gone through it,” concluded the judge.

Hendricks received 10 years on each of the two counts, with all but 100 days suspended on the breaking and entering charge. He also must pay $7,805 in restitution.

Plea deals were also reached in other matters during circuit court proceedings:

–John French Cason Jr., 20, of 1372 S. Waterside Drive, Lanexa, on one count each of burglary and misdemeanor failure to appear. Cason confessed that he broke into the Rockahock Bar and Grill last Sept. 27 and stole money from his former boss. Cason fled to Texas, but was later extradited back to Virginia. Under the agreement, Cason received a 10-year jail sentence on the burglary conviction with all but two months suspended. All 60 days on the failure to appear were suspended, and he must pay $1,775 in restitution.

–Gary Darnell Burton Jr., of 4809 Mountcastle Road, Providence Forge, on one count of grand larceny. Burton admitted last February that he stole a laptop belonging to Terry Rice. Under the plea deal, he received five years in jail, but will only serve one month.