Three teens enter pleas after series of Lawrence home burglaries this summer

Three Lawrence teenagers pleaded no contest Friday to a variety of charges related to several home burglaries in Lawrence this summer.

Two of the men will most likely be sent to prison, while another could be given probation as part of plea agreements with prosecutors.

Markcus T. Sanders, Ronnie Taylor and Cody A. Barnes, all 18, were arrested in September in connection with several July and August burglaries in Lawrence. The crimes occurred during a spike in such crimes, which prompted police to issue numerous warnings.

Here’s a summary of each of the defendants’ cases:

• Sanders: Pleaded no contest to aggravated burglary and aggravated intimidation of a witness related to the July 15 burglary of a home in the 3900 block of West 10th Place. Four other counts in the case, related to other burglaries in Lawrence, were dismissed. The aggravated burglary conviction, the more serious of the two charges, is a level-5 person felony. Based on Sanders’ criminal history, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of around 53 months in prison. Sanders is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 28.

• Taylor: Pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated burglary related to a July 12 home invasion in the 1000 block of East 24th Street. Ten other charges in the case were dismissed. Based on Taylor’s criminal history, he could be sentenced to between 50 and 55 months in prison. He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 28 as well.

• Barnes: Pleaded no contest to four charges, including aggravated burglary, two counts of theft and burglary of an automobile. The aggravated burglary charge was related to the July 15 burglary Sanders also pleaded to. Seven additional charges in the case were dismissed. Based on Barnes’ limited criminal history, he could be sentenced to anywhere from probation to two years in prison. He is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 4.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said Friday that he was pleased with the plea agreement.

“The desired outcome for a plea under these circumstances is increasing the defendants’ criminal history and sending them to prison if possible,” Branson said. “That was accomplished.”