An April 2018 robbery of two men at a Laurel hotel turned into 39 years of total prison time for a Laurel man Friday. Charles K. Darby pleaded guilty before Circuit Court Judge Dal Williamson for his part in the April 14, 2018, early morning robbery of two men staying in town. The stop in Laurel was part of their trip to Black Beach weekend on the Gulf Coast that spring.
Darby pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy (5 years) and two counts of armed robbery (17 years for each charge). The sentences will run concurrently, but he must serve the armed robbery time day for day. Darby has spent about 11 months in jail already and will be credited with that time. He must also pay $2,374.17 in fines and restitution.
His plea came one day after he told the court he wanted to go to trial. His trial date had been set for October 11.
The robber admitted to his part of the crime that also involves allegations against Frank Nixon and Uloni Randolph. Assistant District Attorney Kristen Martin defined the charges against Darby on Friday, describing how he was involved in taking several hundred dollars, a couple of iPhones, a PlayStation, a backpack, two pair of Air Jordans and clothes from the victims. The victims, who were robbed at gunpoint, were told that if they left the hotel room that they would be killed. They waited about an hour after the robbers left before slipping from the hotel room and calling police.
Darby had one previous felony, a conviction for credit card fraud.
“I want to apologize to the court and to the community. I’m sorry,” offered Darby.
Judge Williamson told Darby he appreciated the words of apology, and he advised Darby that he should be grateful that the victims were willing to go along with the plea arrangement, because if he had been convicted by a jury his sentence by the court would have been harsher.
Although he confessed to his part in the crime, Darby said that Randolph first met the victims at the hotel and then called he and Nixon to the scene to help pull off the robbery. Her trial date is set for next Friday in Laurel.