FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 5, 2015
Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242
JURY FIXES SENTENCE AT SEVENTEEN YEARS FOR AUTO THEFT AND DRIVING AFTER DECLARED A HABITUAL OFFENDER
FINAL SENTENCING SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 11, 2015
LEESBURG, Virginia – August 4, 2015. A Loudoun County jury found James Lee Jack, 51, guilty of grand larceny of an auto and driving after being declared a habitual offender, both Felony offenses. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Perry presented the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. The two day trial concluded with the twelve person jury fixing Jack’s sentence for the two crimes at 12 years and 5 years respectively.
On May 7, 2014, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen 2005 Freightliner truck from a local construction company. On May 8, 2014, an employee for the construction company saw the stolen truck being driven in Sterling. The employee notified law enforcement and followed the truck to a Sterling shopping center where the driver parked and exited. A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Detective responded to the location and observed an individual matching the driver’s description walking towards the truck. A review of security video from the shopping center confirmed Jack to be the same individual who had parked the truck in the parking lot earlier that day.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, Perry presented evidence of Jack’s lengthy prior criminal record dating back to 1998 which included multiple convictions for larceny, possession of cocaine, unlawful entry, eluding law enforcement, destruction of property, and three prior convictions for driving after being declared a habitual offender.
“This trial reflected a clear lack of tolerance that our community has for repeat offenders,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman. “At a certain point, society draws a firm line between attempts at redirecting a criminal’s behavior, and throwing up their hands and saying ‘we’re done with this one.’ Mr. Jack clearly crossed that line with this jury.”
Jack’s case is currently set for November 11, 2015 in Circuit Court where a final sentencing hearing will be held before the Hon. J. Howe Brown, Jr. who presided over the trial.
Jack is also awaiting a final sentencing hearing related to a separate incident where a jury on March 3, 2015, found Jack guilty of felony driving after being declared a habitual offender and misdemeanor hit and run. In that case, the jury fixed Jack’s sentence at three years and six months.
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