By Ammie Ruddle
On May 17, Jamie Eugene Morgan stood before Pendleton County Circuit Court to receive sentencing. Morgan pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary, grand larceny, and disruption of public services, and pleaded guilty under Alford circumstances, which allow him to maintain his innocence, for the charges of arson in the first degree and arson in the third degree.
Authorities previously alleged that Morgan, Jason Thomas Sawyers, and Tiffany Star Simmons removed items on Jan. 28, 2021, from a residence in the Fort Seybert area. They also alleged Sawyers and Morgan returned the next day and set a fire at the residence.
Morgan’s family spoke on his behalf to plead that the court consider that Morgan was a productive member of society before his drug addiction. Morgan himself asked the court to include in his sentencing some form of rehabilitation for his addiction.
The victim, who was not present, provided a letter illustrating the depth of his loss due to Morgan’s crimes.
For the charge of burglary, Morgan was sentenced to one to 15 years, for grand larceny, one to 10 years, and for disruption of public utilities, one to five years. For the charges of arson in the first degree, Morgan received 12 years and for arson in the third degree, two years.
Both charges of arson will be served consecutively while the charges of burglary, grand larceny, and disruption of public utilities shall be served concurrently and with each other and consecutively with arson charges.
Morgan’s 284 days served will be credited as time served.
