The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
|
|
 |
|
|
Jessica Wright |
Friday, July 20, 2012
By KEN BRADLEY - Staff Writer
A Wirtz woman will serve five years in prison for stealing to support her drug habit, according to her defense attorney.
Jessica Lynn Wright, 22, pleaded guilty in April to 33 charges, including prescription drug fraud, petty larceny, forging checks, obtaining money by false pretense, shoplifting and grand larceny.
Tuesday in Franklin County Circuit Court, Judge W.N. Alexander II sentenced Wright to three years on each felony charge (27) and 12 months on each misdemeanor charge (6) for a total of 87 years. All of the prison time was suspended except the five years.
Wright's attorney, Carolyn Furrow, told the court that Wright has made a mess of her life in the last few years, using illegal drugs and hanging with the wrong crowd.
As part of her sentence, Wright was ordered to use no illegal drugs and make restitution to the victims in excess of $10,000.
The judge also ordered Wright to complete her GED while in prison.
Wright was one of five persons involved in a theft ring that burglarized 12 Franklin County businesses and residences in the past year.
Two Rocky Mount men involved in the burglaries and thefts pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
William Franklin Harrison Jr., 27, is serving five years and six months of a 75-year prison sentence.
Harrison pleaded guilty to six felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges. He was also sentenced to four years probation upon his release and ordered to be of good behavior for 40 years.
Nicholas Charles Harris, 26, is serving eight years of a 112-year sentence. He pleaded guilty to 19 felony charges and 30 misdemeanor charges. Harris was also sentenced to five years probation and ordered to be of good behavior for life.
Both men admitted to addiction issues with prescription drugs, Nix said.
David Taylor Young, 20, of Rocky Mount was set to be sentenced this week in connection with the burglaries and thefts, as well as James Jeffrey Austin, 24, of Rocky Mount. |
| |
|
|
|
