KINGWOOD — A man whose first criminal conviction was at the age of 15, when he was tried and sentenced as an adult, will not face recidivist sentencing on his latest conviction.
Devin Sean Sullivan, 32, of Kingwood, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Preston Circuit Court to strangulation, a felony.
As part of the plea agreement, Preston Assistant Prosecutor Savannah Wilkins said, the state will not seek to have Sullivan sentenced under the recidivist statute, which calls for life in prison.
Under questioning from Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer, Sullivan said his first felony conviction was when he was 15, in Anne Arundel County, Md. He was tried as an adult on kidnapping charges and convicted to serve time in an adult prison population.
Since then, Sullivan was also convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms. The current charge of strangulation stems from a March incident, when a woman told police Sullivan choked her until she started to black out.
The victim was able to free herself and run to a neighbor’s, according to the criminal complaint.
Wilkins said the arresting officer and victim agreed with the plea bargain because Sullivan is pleading guilty to the charge for which he was indicted.
The state agreed not to make any recommendation at sentencing. Sullivan faces up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500, under the statute. The judge ordered a pre-sentencing report. Sentencing was set for Dec. 23.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
