Published: January 18, 2006 08:09 pm      

2 women sentenced to 30 years for robbery of nursing home

TAZEWELL, Va. — Two women charged with the robbery of narcotics from a Tazewell County nursing home were sentenced to modified 30-year prison sentences Wednesday in Tazewell County Circuit Court.

Jessica Lynn Reedy, 23, and Kimberly Diana Casey, 31, both of Richlands, Va., pleaded guilty in October 2005 to robbery and possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and no contest to use of a firearm in commission of a felony in connection with the May 23 robbery of the Golden Age Retirement Home in Claypool Hill.

In a sentencing hearing before Circuit Court Judge Teresa Chafins, Reedy and Casey argued they should not be convicted of the use of a firearm charge, Tazewell County Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Lee said.

“Our evidence was our victim had a threat of a gun directed toward her,” Lee said. “One of the individuals indicated she had a gun and had her hand in her pocket.”

The defense countered that was not sufficient to convict of the charge, he said. “The court ruled against the defense on that and did convict.”

Reedy was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, Lee said. Prison time per charge included 20 years for robbery, 11 suspended, with nine to serve; three years for use of a firearm in commission of a felony, no time suspended; and seven years for possession of a schedule II controlled substance, five suspended, and two to serve.

Casey was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 18 years suspended, Lee said. Casey’s sentencing per charged included 20 years for robbery, with 13 suspended, and seven to serve; three years for use of a firearm in commission of a felony, no time suspended; and seven years for possession of a schedule II controlled substance, with five suspended, and two to serve.

The difference in sentences was due to past criminal records, Lee said, adding, “since parole is abolished, they will serve nearly all of that [time].”

During the hearing, the Commonwealth Attorney’s office presented evidence from arresting officer Detective Capt. Kevin Bales, with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department, who played video from the retirement home. Lee said the victim, the CNA working at the nursing home, also testified and was “pretty emotional” about the affect the crime had on her.

The defense put on no evidence, he said.

During his argument, Lee argued to the “terrible nature” of this crime. He said those who work for a bank or armed security service may expect to be victims of a robbery, “but we certainly don’t expect our retirement homes, where we expect our loved ones would be safe ... to be subject to crimes of this nature.”

A third defendant charged in connection with the crime, Kesha Leann Holmes, 18, of Cedar Bluff, is scheduled for trial Feb. 6.

The Commonwealth Attorney’s office alleges Holmes was a employee of the retirement home who left the door open for Reedy and Casey. Holmes was arrested, along with a juvenile, the day after the crime by the Tazewell County Narcotics Task Force while allegedly trying to sell some of the drugs stolen in the robbery, Lee said.

Holmes is charged with conspiracy, robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute Fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance, and distribution of Fentanyl.

Although a “wonderful drug for what it is intended for,” Lee said abuse of Fentanyl on the streets is “incredibly dangerous.”

Lee said the drug is commonly known as a “morphine patch,” although it is not morphine. The patches are time release, but those abusing the drug will open the patch to access the gel inside, he said.

— Contact Samantha Perry at sperry@bdtonline.com.