Final 2 defendants in Supply home invasion sentenced

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The final two defendants charged with an armed home invasion in Supply last year are headed to prison after pleading guilty in Brunswick County Superior Court on Monday.

According to the District Attorney's Office, 23-year-old Jonathan Velez and 46-year-old Miguel Cortes entered guilty pleas to first-degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and other offenses related to the break-in.

Velez was sentenced to 7-9 years in prison while Cortes received 5-7 years.

Velez and Cortes along with 23-year-old Joshua Albarran, and an unidentified man, broke into a home on Old Ferry Connection in Supply on Jan. 22, 2017.

Cortes and Albarran remained outside while Velez and the unknown man climbed onto a balcony and broke a window to gain entry into the house.

Velez, armed with a shotgun, held the elderly couple at gunpoint and demanded money from the victims. The men eventually left with a lockbox containing papers and a small collection of foreign coins.

Albarran and Velez were taken into custody by Brunswick County deputies nearly two weeks later. Cortes was arrested on March 7, 2017.

Prosecutors said Albarran previously entered a guilty plea in connection with the case and was sentenced to 6-8 years in prison.

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