Eight-year prison term meted out in Walhalla

In a few days, Timothy Moses Souden will turn 27 years old. Because of crimes against society, the Walhallan will spend his birthday in prison. Officers of the Oconee General Sessions Court say a spree of car break-ins and thefts throughout Oconee County last year were resolved yesterday with Souden’s plea of guilty to 24 charges. Judge Scott Sprouse sentenced Souden to 15 years in prison, suspended to eight years, and five years on probation. According to defense attorney Frank Jackson, Souden will also be responsible to make $5 thousand worth of restitution to victims of the crimes that came to light last summer in a case in which local authorities relied on NCIC—the National Crime Information Center. A tip led to Souden’s arrest at a Seneca street corner. Some of the car break-ins and thefts occurred at the Shaver Recreation Center and Adams subdivision, the Dalton Road neighborhoods, and White Oak Cliffs. At sentencing, Souden spoke in remorseful terms. Attorney Jackson said his client felt desperation as the result of a drug habit and the loss of the custody of a child.