SPARTANBURG COUNTY MAN RECEIVES 25-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

A Startex man received a 25-year prison sentence today for his role in two residential burglaries that occurred days apart.

Gary David Lee, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, second-degree arson, safecracking and two counts of grand larceny.

Lee broke into the home of Steven Brown on Feb. 8, 2005 and stole jewelry, men’s & women’s clothes, a coin collection, tools, electronics, a handgun, and other valuables.

Four days later, Lee broke into the house of Leo Register at 234 Blalock Road and stole a hearing aid, electronics and assorted valuables valued at more than $1,000. He set the home on fire to cover his tracks. Damage to the dwelling was estimated at more than $110,000.

Lee’s co-defendant in the burglaries, Timothy Scott Terry, 36, of 100 Tommy Stocks Road, pleaded guilty to similar charges on Aug. 29 and received a 36-year prison sentence. Terry’s charges included a third burglary that Lee didn’t participate in.

Lee and Terry will serve 85 percent of their prison sentences before they are eligible for release.