Drug store burglar, others sentenced

WARM SPRINGS - Randall Rivenbark, the "drug store burglar," was sentenced last Friday in Bath Circuit Court.

Rivenbark had been convicted of 12 felony counts of breaking and entering, grand larceny, possession and intent to distribute drugs he stole after burgling the Hot Springs Pharmacy three times. The first break-in, and the second, occurred in the evening hours of March 11. In that burglary, Rivenbark stole 7,689 pills, with an estimated street value of $53,823. He was arrested within hours, and charged with six felonies. He was released on $12,000 bond.

Just six weeks later, on April 26, Rivenbark again broke into the pharmacy. This time, Rivenbark was in possession of approximately 4,400 stolen prescription pills, including oxycodone, a powerful narcotic popular with street users.

On all occasions, deputies from the Bath County Sheriff's Office made an arrest within hours.

Judge Humes Franklin issued a stern warning to Rivenbark, 23, before sentencing him to 30 years in prison, suspended, with provisions.

The provisions include 15 years supervised probation, and the stipulation that Rivenbark enter into and successfully complete a drug rehabilitation program. He was also ordered to join Narcotics Anonymous, and acquire a sponsor. He must pay court costs, and restitution of $5,600.

"I want you to listen carefully," the judge told Rivenbark. "You have 30 years hanging over your head… If you come back in this court because of drugs, I am going to put you away long enough for your wife to get a divorce and get away from you as fast as she can."

Rivenbark has a wife and young child. He told Judge Franklin, "I apologize to the community and the court. I made poor choices… There is no excuse for my actions."

"You ought to apologize to your wife and child," the judge admonished.

"I apologize to them as well," Rivenbark replied.

Rivenbark has served seven months in the Alleghany Regional Jail.

He noted, "This whole experience has definitely been eye-opening… I was headed down a real bad path. I suppose this is what it took to get me off drugs. It might have been the best thing that happened. All I can ask for is some leniency for the time I have already served … and perhaps some alternative punishment… I am going to go to rehab, or do community service, whatever is necessary. I obviously want to better myself."

"Well, this is going to be like a millstone around your neck," Franklin replied. "Good luck to you, Mr. Rivenbark; you have a lot on your plate."

Corey Lane Hickman

Hickman, 19, pleaded guilty to three felony grand larcenies and four misdemeanor charges of petit larceny.

The thefts occurred between March 18 and March 24 at the Homestead Spa. Hickman, who was employed there, stole wallets from seven victims. Three contained more than $200, resulting in the felony charges; the other four wallets contained less than $200.

"Nobody likes a thief," Judge Franklin told Hickman. "How would you like to have your stuff stolen? You wouldn't, would you?"

"No sir," Hickman said.

The judge noted, "This is inexcusable; absolutely inexcusable. You are headed down the wrong road at 19 years of age."

Hickman was sentenced to five years concurrent in the penitentiary on each of the felony charges, suspended, and 12 months concurrent in jail on each of the four misdemeanors, suspended. He was placed on three years active supervised probation, and must pay $1,105 in restitution and court costs of $2,006.

"I expect you to pay every penny" of that money back, Franklin added. I want you to enter into a plan of restitution immediately."

Teri Jo Craft

Craft stood trial Friday for illegally obtaining prescription medicine, a felony. Craft, 34, worked at The Springs Nursing Center. She pleaded guilty to taking "a couple" hydrocodone tablets from the center's pharmacy. The missing narcotics were discovered during a Virginia State Police audit of the pharmacy in late March. Craft said she had taken the drugs because she experienced "severe headaches." This is her first offense.

Judge Franklin did not enter a finding of guilty, but took the case under advisement. He sentenced Craft to two years active supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and ordered that her driver's license be restricted for six months.

"I urge you to abide by these terms of probation, community service, and to satisfy the court costs" the judge told Craft. "If you do, there will be no felony on your record."

John Herbert Ingram Jr.

Ingram, 31, stood trial after waiving presentment to the grand jury. He pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

On the evening of July 30, 2008, Ingram and a 17-year-old were pulled over by a state trooper for driving 58 in a 45 mph zone. Ingram had been experiencing pain from a previous injury at a gathering that night, and a family member had given him pain pills.

When the trooper pulled him over, Ingram handed the pills to the juvenile, who put them into his pocket. When the trooper discovered the pills, Ingram initially denied, but subsequently admitted, that they were his.

Judge Franklin sentenced Ingram to two years in prison on the felony drug charge, suspended, and to a concurrent 12-month jail term on the misdemeanor contributing charge, also suspended. Ingram must pay court costs, and was placed on two years active supervised probation.

"If you do all that, at the end of two years, that will be the end of this matter," Franklin told Ingram. "Don't get hooked on that stuff."