RUSTBURG — Two men who played Grinch in December and January pleaded guilty in Campbell County Circuit Court on Monday morning to their involvement in a series of burglaries.
William Dennison Jr., 19, and Jeffrey Bruffy, 29, were accused of stealing items from homes and vehicles in the Timberlake and Sunburst areas of the county.
“We had Christmas presents that were stolen and regifted to (Dennison’s) family members,” Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brooke Willse-Gaddy told the court.
Dennison pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, four counts of grand larceny, one count of a third or subsequent offense of petit larceny and two misdemeanor counts of tampering with an automobile.
The prosecutor dropped one charge each of burglary and grand larceny and two charges of possession of burglary tools. Willse-Gaddy said evidence indicated only Bruffy was involved in the break-in from which the charges stemmed.
Bruffy pleaded guilty to four counts each of burglary and grand larceny.
Charges of possession of burglary tools and conspiracy were dropped in exchange for his plea.
“The defendants were friends,” Willse-Gaddy said. “They worked together on these burglaries and they also worked independently.”
Willse-Gaddy said she also believes Bruffy was responsible for fencing or selling the stolen items.
Dennison’s lawyer, Scott De Bruin, told the court his client cooperated with investigators and was prepared to testify against Bruffy. De Bruin said he believed that was the reason Bruffy pleaded guilty rather than go through with a scheduled bench trial.
After the plea hearings, victims met with representatives of the prosecutors’ office to gather statements that will be used at the sentencing hearing. They also met to talk about restitution.
Willse-Gaddy said that while some stolen items could be returned, restitution will be a big part of the men’s sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Both remained jailed.
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