Circuit Judge Howard P. King presided over a term of criminal court in Dillon last week wherein three of five defendants involved in home invasions in Latta pled guilty.
John Andrews pled guilty to two counts of burglary in the first degree, along with a few lesser charges, and received 15 years in prison. Jason Goins, another defendant involved in the Latta crimes, pled guilty to second degree burglary under the violent statute and also received 15 years. The third defendant, Justin Goins, had been charged only with one count of burglary of a lesser degree and received six years suspended upon the service of one year. The other two defendants involved will go to court in April.
Derrick Jones, a Dillon man who was charged with attempted murder for a shooting that took place around Christmas of 2010 at Citi Trends, pled guilty. Judge King will sentence Jones within the next few weeks. Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel, who is prosecuting the case, asked for the maximum sentence of 30 years to be imposed.
“It was a very productive week of court,” said Daniel. “We’re doing everything we can to curb the commission violent crimes, and Judge King sent a strong message with the sentences he handed down.”
Among those also pleading guilty during the term were Richard Sweat (murder), Douglas Bridges (assault and battery), Charles Townsend (threatening the life of a public official), Reginald Page (receiving stolen goods and resisting arrest), Phillip Locklear (third degree burglary), Jonathan Jones (assault and battery), Cody Howard (strong arm robbery) and Jamez Huggins (drugs).
A total of 78 indictments were disposed of during the term.