Joshua Omari Williams

Black Male Joshua Williams Sentenced to 20 Years for Burglary, Assault

Friday, 13 May 2011: Joshua Omari Williams, age 20, pleaded guilty today in Houston Superior Court to one count Burglary and one count Aggravated Assault. Williams' trial on these charges was scheduled for next week with jury selection to begin Monday. Judge Edward D. Lukemire sentenced Williams to Twenty (20) years and ordered that he serve Ten (10) years in prison.

In addition, Williams was given a $1,000.00 fine, was ordered to obtain a GED, was ordered to have no contact with the victims of the crimes, and was ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $500.00. Williams had no prior felony convictions and was therefore sentenced as a "first offender" under Georgia Code section 42-8-60.

The charges in this case stem from a March 22, 2010, incident wherein Williams and another unidentified subject carried out an armed home invasion at a residence in the 100 block of Springfield Court in Perry, GA. During the burglary, there were people present in the home, and the unidentified perpetrator was armed with a handgun.

Both subjects fled with the victim's Play Station 3 and X-Box as well as other items. Witnesses picked Williams out of a photo line-up, and police later recovered stolen items at his home.

Joshua Williams was prosecuted by Houston District Attorney George Hartwig. Williams was represented by Houston County Public Defender Nicholas White.

COMMENTS FROM DA HARTWIG: "Fortunately, none of the home's occupants were hurt during this incident. The Perry Police Department, particularly Lt. Ken Ezell, did an outstanding job responding to and investigating this crime. Violent crimes such as this will not go unpunished in Houston County. My office will continue to seek a full measure of justice for the people of Houston County."

Ref. www.houstonda.org