KINGWOOD — Rebecca Davis pleaded Thursday to charges related to the 2016 robbery of her business.
Davis pleaded to grand larceny under a plea agreement and conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery under an Alford or Kennedy plea.
Both are felony charges and were charged under an information rather than by indictment by a grand jury. An Alford or Kennedy plea is when a defendant does not admit to the act, but recognizes there may be enough evidence for a jury to convict.
Grand larceny carries a penalty of one-to-10 years in prison or one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Conspiracy to commit second degree robbery is punishable by one-to-five years in prison and not more than a $10,000 fine or both.
Davis was charged in February with second-degree robbery in connection with the Dec. 21, 2016, robbery of Becky’s Hot Spot in Masontown. Timothy James Atwood was charged with committing the robbery. His case has not yet come to court.
According to the criminal complaint by Masontown Police Officers M.E. Hoefler and M.D. Stemple, Atwood entered the video lottery gaming establishment in Masontown and left with about $14,500.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Allender said she believes the plea agreement is in the best interest of justice. She said Davis was the mastermind behind the incident although Atwood carried out the crime.
Allender said the plea bargain would allow the state to offer Atwood a plea so he could be released. She said he has been incarcerated for a number of months.
“The Masontown police chief and members of the sheriff’s department understand the agreement although they do not agree with it 100 percent,” Allender told the court.
When Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer asked Davis if the prosecutor’s statement was correct she said “no.” Shaffer called both attorneys and Davis to the bench. After a short discussion the hearing continued.
The court accepted the plea agreement and ordered a pre-sentencing investigation. Sentencing was set for Dec. 19.
