Walhalla, SC – Adam Richardson Martin pled guilty on February 10, 2017 in Oconee General Sessions Court to charges from both Oconee and Anderson Counties. The Honorable Scott Sprouse sentenced Martin to 25 years suspended to service of 15 years followed by 5 years of probation for 2 counts of Armed Robbery and 2 counts of Kidnapping for the Oconee County charges. On the Anderson County charges he was sentenced to 3 years for failure to stop for a blue light and 10 years for discharging a firearm into a vehicle.
In March of 2015, a couple living in West Union, SC contacted Martin, who had previously done work for them, to do yard work. When he arrived he told them he needed to speak to them inside. Once inside, Martin told them that they were good people and that he was unstable. The Defendant then pulled out a gun. He demanded cash and jewelry, following the victims around the house at gunpoint. Martin then fled the home. Law enforcement was called and responded immediately. The victims identified Martin through a photo array lineup.
The Defendant was subsequently spotted by law enforcement in Anderson County. He was chased through Anderson, Greenville and Laurens counties by law enforcement where speeds reached over 100 miles per hour. While in Anderson County on Interstate 85, Martin shot at other vehicles and continued to evade law enforcement. Martin was eventually captured in Laurens County and placed under arrest facing multiple charges there as well. He was sentenced in 2016 for the offenses committed in Laurens County and only recently returned to Oconee County to face charges.
“Through Adam Martin’s criminal and reckless behavior, he endangered many lives in March 2015. It is nothing short of a miracle that no lives were lost. Today’s plea adequately punishes the Defendant and gives the victims in this crime the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” stated Solicitor David Wagner.
