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Rivenbark guilty of drug store burglary
By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer
WARM SPRINGS - Guilty. Times twelve.
Randall Rivenbark is just 22 years old; yet, his criminal record now includes 12 felonies.
Rivenbark, wearing suit pants, a dress shirt and tie, pleaded guilty last Friday in Bath County Circuit Court to a series of crimes associated with three break-ins at Hot Springs Pharmacy.
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 - two counts of breaking and entering in the night-time; one count of grand larceny; possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; and two counts of possession of burglary tools. He was released on $12,000 bond.
Just six weeks later, on April 26, Rivenbark again broke into the pharmacy. This time, his arrest was swift; officers with the Bath County Sheriff's Office got to Rivenbark's Ashwood apartment around the same time the burglar himself arrived home. This time, Rivenbark was in pos- session of approximately 4,400 stolen prescription pills, including oxycodone, a powerful narcotic popular with street users. The six felony charges for the April 26 incident included intent to commit larceny, possession of burglary tools, stealing prescription drugs, two counts of possession with intent to distribute drugs, and one count of selling or distributing a narcotic.
Commonwealth's Attorney Chris Singleton noted none of the more than 12,000 pills Rivenbark stole can be remarketed; the drugs are still in the possession of police; a value has not yet been placed on them.
Rivenbark, represented by court-appointed attorney Betty Cauley, told Judge Humes Franklin he was "truly remorseful" for his crimes. "I have been under the influence of drugs," he admitted. "That led to the criminal offenses I did; otherwise, I don't have a criminal background."
He added, "I would like to get off drugs … I am a young man; I don't want to ruin my life … I'd like to get my act together and straighten myself out."
Judge Franklin accepted Rivenbark's 12 guilty pleas, and ordered a pre-sentencing report. Singleton suggested that, while that report was being prepared, "Mr. Rivenbark should stay right where he is, in the Alleghany Regional Jail."
When Judge Franklin asked Cauley for her opinion, she replied, "I have no comment, your honor."
Rivenbark received tearful hugs from his mother and wife before a deputy escorted him out of the courthouse and back to jail. Sentencing will take place at a later date not yet announced.
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