Cape Girardeau man sentenced to seven years in prison for dorm burglaries

A 24-year-old Cape Girardeau man charged with stealing from multiple Southeast Missouri State University dorm rooms was sentenced to seven years in prison Monday before Circuit Court Judge Benjamin F. Lewis.

Marcus L. Woods, who pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary Feb. 8, claimed at his sentencing hearing he's battling a drug and alcohol addiction and he was intoxicated when he stole from more than 15 dorm rooms in Towers South.

Previously, Woods faced five charges of second-degree burglary, but at his hearing in February, the court dismissed four of the charges, per a plea agreement with the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office.

In a Jan. 6 interview with officers, Woods admitted that he and an accomplice entered the dorm rooms by kicking in doors. He admitted to stealing televisions, cameras, computers, a cell phone, a gaming system, a voice recorder and jewelry -- items valued at more than $2,000.

The accomplice was never charged.

While assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester recommended Woods serve seven years, Woods' attorney, Jennifer Booth, admitting the recommendation was fair, asked the judge to consider allowing her client to complete chemical dependency treatment.

Lewis said Woods was not a good candidate for the treatment, as it's probable he'd reoffend upon release.

"You've persuaded me that you don't want to be on probation," Lewis said.

By pleading guilty to the second-degree burglary offense, Woods also admitted a violation of parole for a 2008 charge. Woods was charged then with possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana and sentenced to five years' probation.

Lewis revoked Woods' probation and sentenced him to an additional seven years in prison, to run concurrently with the previous seven-year sentence.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1000 Towers Circle, Cape Girardeau, MO