Jury Trials for Robbers, Thieves and Sex Offenders

The DA’s Habitual Felon Team tried habitual felons before Mecklenburg County juries during the week April 16, 2012 in three courtrooms. The trials were held in the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

Jerry Mungo

Jerry Mungo, 52, was tried for 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) possession of burglary tools, 3) resisting a public officer and 4) being a habitual felon. The jury found Mungo guilty as charged and he admitted his status as a habitual felon. The Honorable W. Robert Bell sentenced Mungo to 135-171 months in prison. Some of Mungo’s prior convictions include common law robbery and multiple counts of felony breaking or entering. In addition, Mungo was previously convicted and served a sentence as a habitual felon.

Derrick Hamilton, 24, and Joshua Oliphant, 28, were tried together for 1) robbery with a dangerous weapon and 2) conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. The jury found both defendants guilty as charged. Judge Bell sentenced Hamilton to 97-129 months in prison. Judge Bell sentenced Oliphant to 111-146 months in prison.  Some of Hamilton’s prior convictions include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Some of Oliphant’s prior convictions include bank robbery and four counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Willis Hopkins, 32, was tried for 1) failure to properly register as a sex offender and 2) being a habitual felon. The jury found Hopkins guilty of failure to properly register as a sex offender and he admitted his status as a habitual felon. The Honorable Forrest D. Bridges sentenced Hopkins to 52-72 months in prison. Some of Williams’ prior convictions include second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the state of South Carolina and failing to properly register as a sex offender.

Jerry Edwards, 26, was called for trial in courtroom 5370. Edwards was tried for 1) felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, 2) misdemeanor larceny and 3) being a habitual felon. The case was dismissed by the Honorable Yvonne Mims Evans at the close of all of the evidence.

Robert Williams

Lamont Welch, 33, was called for trial and changed his previous plea of not guilty to guilty as charged to 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) felony larceny, 3) felony possession of stolen goods, 4) conspiracy to commit breaking or entering and 5) being a habitual felon. Judge Bell sentenced Welch to 60-81 months in prison.

Jarvis Mitchell, 50, was called for trial and changed his previous plea of not guilty to guilty as charged to 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) felony larceny, 3) felony possession of stolen goods and 4) conspiracy to commit breaking or entering. Judge Bell sentenced Mitchell to 11-14 months in prison; that sentence was suspended pending his successful completion of 30 months of supervised probation. As one of his conditions of probation, Mitchell must serve 6 months of house arrest.

Robert Williams, 44, pled guilty to failing to properly register as a sex offender. Judge Bell sentenced Williams to 36-44 months in prison.

Lynn Kiser, 28, pled guilty to two counts of failing to properly register as a sex offender. Judge Bell sentenced Kiser to 36-44 months in prison.