Font ResizeBRATTLEBORO -- A "minor" role-player in a recent multi-state burglary ring was sentenced to five years probation on Monday after she agreed to a plea bargain.
Alivia J. Lawrence, 19, of Putney, pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding in the commission of a felony after she drove members of the burglary ring to and from the scene of three different crimes.
She was also sentenced to 59 to 60 days of work crew for aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor.
As part of her plea agreement, Lawrence must adhere to electronic monitoring, not enter the Putney Diner, Basketville or Santa’s Land, the places she helped burglarize, not commit any criminal behavior and testify truthfully at any hearing or trial when subpoenaed.
Deputy State’s Attorney Steve Brown said because Lawrence was given a deferred sentence there was no possibility of early termination of her probation.
"The law provides that the record of someone under 21-years-old can be expunged and a straight probation term could grant her the possibility of being discharged early," Brown said. "Because she agreed to the deferred sentence she’ll be on probation for the full five years."
When asked why he didn’t seek a longer sentence for the two felonies that each carry up to 15 years, Brown said it didn’t serve the purpose of justice.
"She was one of the more minor players involved in these crimes and her role was minimal compared
According to court documents, Lawrence said she and 19-year-old Roman Foster were offered money to drive other members of the ring to and from the places they were going to rob.
Lawrence and Foster both said they were unsure how much money they received for driving to the burglaries and that "the others were not honest as to how much money they were taking and the more burglaries that they did, the less money they would receive for driving," the affidavit states.
She added "sometimes they barely received gas money for driving."
Josh Stilts can be reached at jstilts@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311 ext. 273.
