Third suspect pleads in 2015 burglary

A Morgan City teen is the third person to plead guilty in connection with an alleged October 2015 burglary and robbery.

Eric Wayne Howard, 19, of Morgan City, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary before Judge Greg Aucoin, prosecutor Anthony Saleme said.

The remaining charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of a firearm, armed robbery with use of a firearm and aggravated burglary were dismissed, according to the plea agreement.

Howard is one of four suspects charged in the case and the third suspect to plead guilty. The arrests and charges stem from an Oct. 30, 2015, complaint Morgan City police responded to regarding an alleged armed robbery in the area of the 700 block of Federal Avenue.

Investigators learned that DeShawn Sylvester allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and took roughly $700 in cash and a cell phone, police said.

Sylvester, 19, of Morgan City, still faces the charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of a firearm, armed robbery with use of a firearm, aggravated burglary, possession of cocaine and illegal possession and use of weapons. His trial is set for May 1.

Howard’s plea deal included a sentence of seven years in prison at hard labor and five years of probation. He also has to pay $850 restitution to the victim in the case.

Two other suspects have already pleaded guilty in the incident.

Kedesha Scott, 22, of Amelia, pleaded guilty in October 2016 to the charge of aggravated burglary and had charges in another case dismissed.

Latifha Friels, 23, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty in March 2016 to the charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary in a best interest plea. The remaining charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of a firearm and armed robbery were dismissed.

Scott and Friels haven’t yet been sentenced, according to court records.