On August 28, 2012, B.J. Dennis Keen, 25, of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for his role in the breaking and entering of three Buchanan County homes. Keen was also convicted of stealing guns, televisions, tools, and other items with the intent to sell the stolen property. After serving his fifteen year prison sentence, Keen will be required to successfully complete fifteen years of supervised probation as a condition of his suspended sentence.
On September 10, 2012 Jonathan Lee Stacy, 26, of Oakwood, Virginia, was also sentenced to 60 years in prison for his role in the burglaries. Stacy will serve 13 years in prison before being released to complete twelve years of supervised probation as a condition of his suspended sentence.
When asked for comment, Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerald Arrington remarked that “when I ran for office, I promised that if elected, my office would vigorously prosecute home invasions and theft crimes, and I believe that theses cases clearly demonstrate our commitment to those principles. The people in our community work hard to earn the things that they have and I take offense when a thief breaks into someone’s home and helps himself to whatever is lying around. These harsh sentences should send a clear message to those who would rather steal than work, that my office will not take property crimes lightly.”
