The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse
After waiving a grand jury hearing, a 22-year-old Hampton man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing three pairs of sunglasses from a James City County store.
Tyler Dean Williams was found with traces of cocaine in his wallet after he was arrested for shoplifting in October, but a felony drug possession charge against him was dropped in November.
Williams faces up to 20 years in prison and a $2,500 fine for the felony shoplifting charge he received when he stole from the Sunglass Hut on Richmond Road.
He and his brother entered the store Oct. 11 and were trying on sunglasses, Williamsburg-James City County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Gaten said at a hearing Monday. After the two men left, an employee noticed a pair of sunglasses were missing from a display.
Suspecting Williams and his brother, the employee reported the incident to police.
Police located the two in the area, and Williams confessed to taking two pairs of Ray Ban sunglasses and one pair of Oakley sunglasses. Gaten said Williams’ brother was unaware the shoplifting had occurred and offered to pay for the sunglasses his brother stole.
Williams had placed the sunglasses in a compartment of his vehicle’s armrest, Gaten said. The merchandise was then returned to Sunglass Hut.
As part of a plea agreement, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will not argue against the recommended sentencing guidelines created by the probation officer in a pre-sentence report.
Williams will receive a sentence at 9 a.m. March 11 in Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court.
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