MAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY RECEIVES 15 YEAR SENTENCE

PRESS RELEASE: Solicitor Adams Announces Sentence handed down in case of State vs. Luke Rogers in Oconee County. Burrell case continued.

On Monday, March 20, 2005 in Oconee County General Sessions Court, Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Luke Rogers to 15 years in prison following Rogers’ guilty plea to one count of Burglary 1st Degree, one count of Burglary 2nd Degree and one count of Grand Larceny. Rogers was also ordered to go through the Addictions Treatment Unit while in prison. 

Rogers was charged with breaking into a home in Walhalla on two separate occasions and also breaking into a home in Salem on two separate occasions. During his second attempt to burglarize the home in Salem, Rogers was surprised by the owner of the home who was armed at the time. The owner of the home shot Rogers with rock salt after which Rogers managed to escape. He was apprehended on November 30th in the Walhalla area. 

In the second case slated for trial, State vs. Lane Burrell, Judge Welmaker granted the defense motion for continuance until the April 17th term of General Sessions Court.