James Parker III was sentenced to prison yesterday in Jones County Circuit Court for his role in the robbery of the Roses store in Laurel on December 18, 2016.
During that robbery over $7,300.00 was taken by Parker and an accomplice, Christopher Luker.
Luker pleaded guilty to the robbery earlier this year. Roses was his place of employment when the crime occurred. Luker was sentenced to 20 years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections with 10 years to serve, the balance of time suspended, and five years post release supervision. He was also ordered to pay courts costs and fees of $1667.50.
Parker III received a lighter sentence, since he was not wielding the gun and because the stolen money and other items taken from the store were found at Luker’s apartment. Luker was living at the Westhill Apartments across the street from Roses when the crime was committed.
Parker III told Judge Dal Williamson before his sentence was handed down Tuesday that he was threatened to participate in the armed robbery.
“I was threatened into it. He had a gun to my head,” he said, stating that he feared for his life.
Judge Williamson asked him if he wanted to move forward with his guilty plea. Parker III hesitated, looked back toward supporters sitting in the court room, and then simply stated “guilty.”
The judge asked him a second time a few minutes later if he wanted to proceed with his plea of guilt, and the accused said, “Yes, sir.”
Parker III was sentenced to 10 years in prison with seven to serve plus three years probation. He was also ordered to pay over $2,600.00 in court costs and restitution. He could have received a maximum term of life in prison if a jury had convicted him.
In other cases heard by the court Tuesday:
*Brandon Joe Yates got four years of house arrest plus four years of probation for the possession of meth with the intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm. He also must pay $1,417.50 in court costs.
*Kenneth Dwight Breland received five years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, all suspended, if he completes post release supervision and community service requirements. He pleaded guilty to the burglary of a non-dwelling. He must also pay over $3,000 in court costs, including some from a previous court order involving a felony.
*David Strickland was handed an eight-year prison term with six to serve and ordered to pay $917.50 in court costs for the sale of 2.6 grams of meth.
*Kimberly Zuniga was given three years of house arrest plus two years of probation and community service requirements for the charge of conspiracy to commit a crime that involved her arranging for an underage relative to meet a man on Indian Springs Road. That underage girl was raped by the man, Alberto Conteras, an illegal alien who was later convicted and then deported from the country after serving some time in prison. She must also pay $1,917.50 in court costs.
“This is a terrible thing,” noted Judge Williamson, who said he was surprised that the sentencing mandate for her plea didn’t provide for a harsher penalty.
*Wesley Jones received three years of house arrest and two years of post release supervision, along with community service requirements, for possession of 115.4 grams of marijuana with intent to distribute. The drugs were discovered on him by Laurel Police Department narcotics agents. He had no previous felonies.
*Christopher Shelby was ordered to spend two years in prison plus complete 30 months of post release supervision and community service for the possession of meth while in possession of a firearm. He must also pay $1,917.50 in courts costs and fees.