Felon pleads guilty to numerous burglaries

    Murphy – A homeless habitual felon accused of burglarizing numerous businesses within a two-week period pleaded guilty to the charges.
    Earlier this month, Kevin Dewayne Cornwell, 40, pled guilty to six counts of breaking and entering. A judge sentenced him to serve a minimum of seven and a half years and a maximum of 13 and a half years in prison. However, the prison stints have been suspended for 60 months in order for Cornwell to pay restitution to some of the victims.
    “He’s got this very long prison sentence hanging over his head, and it is suspended for an abnormally long time,” District Attorney Ashley Welch told the Cherokee Scout on Monday. “He’s on probation
for the next 60 months solely to pay the restitution.
    “If he stops making payments, or if he doesn’t comply with the rest of the terms of his probationary sentence, then he’s facing that prison time. Sentencing is completely up to the judge.”
    Police say Cornwell burglarized A1 Mini Storage, Carolina Mountain Homes Realty, No-Name Deli & Restaurant, OneMain Financial and Townson Used Cars between Sept. 24 and Oct. 5, 2019.
    During the heists, Cornwell stole a handgun, $8,595 in cash, a Lowe’s gift card valued at $2,450, an ice cream push pop, a bottle of water, and several pieces of men’s and women’s jewelry valued at $2,711. A judge ordered Cornwell to pay restitution to some of the victims.
    Cornwell was previously convicted for similar offenses in 2008, 2009 and 2015.