Chaplain sentenced in robberies
An 18-year-old Omaha man is going to prison for three to eight years for his role in a string of street robberies in Lincoln last year.
Emmanuel Chaplain was one of five teenagers suspected in three robberies committed one right after the other on the morning of Nov. 19 in the Near South Neighborhood. He’ll be eligible for parole in about 10 months under the sentence handed down Thursday by Lancaster County District Judge Steve Burns.
Chaplain pleaded guilty in June to one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
Authorities said Chaplain and four other youths, all of whom were 17 or younger at the time, committed the robberies. Charges against two of the youths were dismissed, and the case against another was transferred to Lancaster County Juvenile Court.
The remaining teenager, Aki Awou, is set for sentencing Aug. 7 on two counts of robbery. He pleaded no contest earlier to the charges.
Chaplain entered a guilty plea last month to the theft charge in exchange for dismissal of three charges each of robbery and use of a firearm to commit a felony.
At the sentencing Thursday, his attorney, Kelly Breen of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, sought probation.
Breen described Chaplain as “a very young man” who “fell into an association with a somewhat reckless crowd.”
Chaplain, in a brief statement, apologized for his actions. “My actions were irresponsible,” he said. “I want to change.”
Burns rejected Breen’s request, noting that Chaplain had been given probation before.
Breen said in an interview after the hearing that weapons, robbery and assault charges are pending against Chaplain in Douglas County. He allegedly committed that robbery a few days before the Lincoln incidents, Breen said.
Reach Clarence Mabin at 473-7234 or cmabin@journalstar.com.
Emmanuel Chaplain was one of five teenagers suspected in three robberies committed one right after the other on the morning of Nov. 19 in the Near South Neighborhood. He’ll be eligible for parole in about 10 months under the sentence handed down Thursday by Lancaster County District Judge Steve Burns.
Chaplain pleaded guilty in June to one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
Authorities said Chaplain and four other youths, all of whom were 17 or younger at the time, committed the robberies. Charges against two of the youths were dismissed, and the case against another was transferred to Lancaster County Juvenile Court.
The remaining teenager, Aki Awou, is set for sentencing Aug. 7 on two counts of robbery. He pleaded no contest earlier to the charges.
Chaplain entered a guilty plea last month to the theft charge in exchange for dismissal of three charges each of robbery and use of a firearm to commit a felony.
At the sentencing Thursday, his attorney, Kelly Breen of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, sought probation.
Breen described Chaplain as “a very young man” who “fell into an association with a somewhat reckless crowd.”
Chaplain, in a brief statement, apologized for his actions. “My actions were irresponsible,” he said. “I want to change.”
Burns rejected Breen’s request, noting that Chaplain had been given probation before.
Breen said in an interview after the hearing that weapons, robbery and assault charges are pending against Chaplain in Douglas County. He allegedly committed that robbery a few days before the Lincoln incidents, Breen said.
Reach Clarence Mabin at 473-7234 or cmabin@journalstar.com.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.