Madison Heights man pleads guilty

A Madison Heights man accused of robbing three people in a Lynchburg apartment at gunpoint pleaded guilty to reduced charges Tuesday morning in Lynchburg Circuit Court.

Christopher Alan Thompson, 25, had been charged with three counts each of robbery and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Through a plea agreement Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of attempted use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Thompson’s lawyer, Greg Smith, said the Alford plea allowed him to plead guilty by admitting the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him without actually admitting guilt.

“There’s a good defense, but it could go against him,” Smith said, adding that Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff Bennett insisted on a jury trial in lieu of a guilty plea. “He’s facing a minimum of 28 years.”

Bennett said Thompson and Russell Agnew, also 25 and of Madison Heights, came to an apartment at 133 Watergate Drive shortly after midnight on Sept. 13, 2007. The prosecutor said the men asked to see a roommate who wasn’t home at the time.

Thompson and Agnew came into the apartment when Agnew drew a pistol and began searching through bedrooms in the home, Bennett said. Thompson took a female resident into the kitchen, he said. Although he never showed a gun, the prosecutor said, the woman told police Thompson kept one hand behind his back during the robbery and she believed he had a weapon.

The men took jewelry, $800 in cash and two shotguns from the home, Bennett said.

A witness identified Thompson, who turned himself in to police. A beer bottle left by Agnew also contained DNA evidence used to place him at the scene.

Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20. Agnew is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20.