Man pleads guilty to several robberies, does not go to jail

Victims of a Burke County man’s crime spree said they are outraged he will not serve a single day in prison.

Justin Turner was facing more than 24 years in prison, but a plea deal kept him on the streets. Now, many residents in Morganton are questioning that deal.

The district attorney said he learned about the deal Monday night. By Tuesday morning, the prosecutor who made the deal had been fired, he said.

According to court documents, Turner pleaded guilty to four robberies, an attempted robbery, and a safe cracking. 

As part of the plea deal, a judge sentenced Turner to 36 months of intensive probation and gave him credit for the 157 days he already spent in jail.

He also must pay back the businesses the $8,000 he stole and perform community service. 

The district attorney said two former sheriffs wrote letters to the judge urging him not to give Turner, who is the son of a former deputy, prison time.  

“I can't believe he's not getting any jail time after robbing that many places," said Bonnie Christie, whose store was robbed twice in a month.

She said she is not taking any chances after what happened in her store and in court.  

"I guess what everyone needs to do who works at convenience stores is take a gun with them. If somebody comes in to rob them shoot them,” Christie said.

Turner will spend the first six months out of jail under house arrest. If he violates any part of his probation, he faces a ten year sentence.