La Plata, MD – One of four men arrested in connection with the Aug. 7, 2014 home invasion and robbery in the 5300 block of Nelson Point Road in Indian Head pled guilty before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West Thursday, Feb. 11.
James Deondre Thompson, 22 of Waldorf, was sentenced to five years in prison as part of a plea agreement.
“Mr. Thompson put himself in a pretty bad spot,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Widder said. “They went into this house with guns drawn, pistol-whipped one of the victims, stole cash and a video game system. The four people were found down the block playing the stolen game system. Mr. Thompson was found sitting on top of a handgun.”
Thompson was also indicted in a shooting case that took place on an elementary school basketball court.
“He wasn’t the gunman, but he was involved,” Widder said. “It is what it is.”
“James admits he put himself in a really bad spot,” Defense Attorney Mark Miller told the court. “He has has never been in trouble, unlike many of his codefendants, just a minor marijuana possession case and driving while suspended. That is the extent of his record. He was not the aggressor in the shooting case. He just put himself in a really bad spot.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Thompson explained. “I’m genuinely sorry. I burdened myself and my family. I ask forgiveness all the time. I made a mistake and I’m trying to learn from it.”
West told the defendant that under the terms of the plea agreement he would serve five years in the Maryland Department of Corrections and was given credit for 318 days already served.
Those five years were for the robbery with a deadly weapon charge. For the shooting on the basketball court, the judge gave him 25 years, all suspended, and placed him on five years of supervised probation upon his release.
Restitution to the victims in the robbery case will be deferred until a later date, West noted.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com