CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Crimes Against Property Team convicted two defendants at trial and another four defendants who pled guilty before their cases were call for trial during the week of May 13, 2013.
The proceedings were held in courtrooms 5150 and 5370 before The Honorable Robert T. Sumner and The Honorable H. William Constangy, Superior Court Judges.
William Ellis, 19, was tried for Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon, Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Larceny, Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle and Felony Possession of Stolen Goods.
William Ellis
The jury found Mr. Ellis guilty of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of stolen goods. They jury found him not guilty of the remaining counts.
Judge Sumney sentenced Ellis to 6-17 months in prison to be followed 24 months of probation.
In March, 2012, a group of people broke into a Charlotte house and took electronic equipment while an 11-year old boy hid in the closet. The next morning another victim had just started a car, and as he walked into the garage, several people jumped into the car and drove away.
Because the victim left his cellphone in the car, he was able to track the phone’s location, which led police to the phone and the stolen vehicle. Police found Mr. Ellis sitting in the passenger seat. In his pockets, police found the cellphone that had been used to track the vehicle, as well as a PlayStation Portable gaming device taken during the break-in the previous evening.
Mr. Ellis was on probation for a prior breaking and entering offense when this incident occurred.
Kevin Wood
Kevin Wood, 29, was tried for felony breaking and entering. The jury found Mr. Wood guilty. Judge Sumner sentenced Wood to 8-19 months in prison. That sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 30 months of supervised probation. As a condition of his probation, Mr. Wood is required to wear an electronic monitor for 60 days.
Wade Knight, 29, was tried for first-degree burglary, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods. The jury found Knight not guilty.
Then four defendants pled guilty before their cases were called for trial:
Travis Overcash, 30, pled guilty to second-degree burglary. Judge Constangy sentenced him to 20-24 months in prison.
Deshawn Speller
Deshawn Speller, 20, pled guilty to second-degree burglary, felony larceny and being a habitual breaking and entering status offender. Judge Sumner sentenced him to 29-47 months in prison. That sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 24 months of supervised probation. As a condition of his probation, Mr. Speller was ordered to serve 8 months in prison and pay the victim $140 in restitution.
Jonathan Edouarzine, 22, pled guilty to felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods. Judge Constangy sentenced him to 5-6 months in prison. That sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 24 months of supervised probation. As one of his conditions of probation, Edouarzine must serve 30 days in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Thomas Cooney
Thomas Cooney, 19, pled guilty to misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor larceny. Judge Sumner sentenced him to 45 days in the Mecklenburg County Jail and ordered him to pay $700 in restitution.
