October 16, 2012
Contact: [email protected]
Walhalla, SC. Tommy Joe Cooper pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to 5 counts of Burglary, 2nd Degree (Violent). The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced him to 15 years on each count to be served concurrently.
Between September 2010 and February 2012, the defendant broke into 4 of his neighbors’ outbuildings taking tools, lawnmowers, chainsaws, blowers and other assorted items. Some of the property was located at a nearby pawn shop. Cooper had previously served time in prison for burglaries committed on the same properties in 1989.
“I want to thank law enforcement for their efforts in tracking down the person responsible for this string of burglaries,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “I have no doubt that if Tommy Cooper had not been caught and arrested he would still be out there today committing additional crimes. Today’s guilty plea and sentence, however, mean that instead of stealing further from his neighbors, he will be locked behind bars and unable to victimize our community any further.”