VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A 55-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday after being found guilty of statutory burglary and grand larceny.
Albert Laval Wilson stolen multiple items from a woman’s residence including two televisions. He apparently gained entry into her home through a sliding glass door on the second-floor balcony.
On Oct. 23, 2022, the Virginia Beach Police Department responded to a report from the victim and began an investigation. The Forensic Services Unit collected fingerprints to analyze and discovered a match to Watson.
According to the Commonwealth, the victim had returned home after being out of town to find the front door was open and the deadbolt was still extended. Empty beer cans were dispersed around her house too.
Watson was found guilty by Circuit Court Judge James C. Lewis after a bench trial on June 24, 2024.
Judge Lewis sentenced Watson to 30 years in prison with 20 years suspended, leaving 10 years for him to serve. This sentence exceeded the high end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines recommendation.
When pronouncing his sentence, Judge Lewis noted that Watson has been preying on members of the community since 1988.