Accused church burglars given jail time

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Two men were sentenced Wednesday in connection with a string of church and home burglaries throughout Franklin County in 2006.
The men were charged with breaking into several churches and at least one home. Some of the break-ins took place in February 2006, while others occurred in July of that year.
Jeremy Ray Hargett, 21, 100 Holiday Plaza Apartments, Russellville, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree theft of property and one count of third-degree burglary.
He was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison.
Hargett was initially charged with 10 counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree theft of property, two counts of second-degree theft of property, three counts of third-degree theft of property, four counts of second-degree criminal mischief, three counts of third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree attempted arson and third-degree attempted burglary.
He has been in custody since his arrest.
Kevin David Pounders, 19, 315 Franklin 56, Russellville, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft of property, second-degree theft of property and third-degree burglary.
He was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison.
Pounders is accused of assisting Hargett in several church burglaries in July 2006.
The men were accused of breaking windows, damaging office equipment, stealing several items and destroying church property.
"There's not a more personal crime than defiling someone's home or church," Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.