Judgment week for Oconee crime ring members

The man called the “prime actor” in a crime ring that victimized dozens of Oconeeans has been ordered to prison for 20 years. Joshua Chad Jackson could have been sentenced to life, but he benefits from a negotiated sentence agreed to by both prosecution and defense. Jackson pleaded guilty to 114 charges of property crimes—many of which were thefts, burglaries, and vehicle break-ins across Oconee County. As assistant solicitor Jason Alderman described it, Jackson and two other people wreaked havoc over a three-month period. The co-defendants in the case were sentenced yesterday. The 100-plus charges against Jackson were amassed by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Seneca, Walhalla, and Westminster. Defense attorney Suzanne Earle said Jackson resorted to crime after being hurt at work and abusing pain killer medication. The judge was told that after his arrest, Jackson cooperated with authorities and gave information that helped build cases against his accomplices, as well as lead investigators to recover some of the stolen property. Two of the victims spoke in court today. Another related to 101.7/WGOG NEWS afterward that, among the property he lost, his credit card was stolen and he’s fearful the information on it could lead to an attempt at identity theft. Jackson cried as he told Judge Sprouse, “I’m so sorry” and he added how important it is to fight drug abuse that ruins lives. The judge scolded Jackson saying, “You made a mess of things”—a reference to the fact that, at one time, Jackson and his co-horts were responsible for one-third of the property crimes in the county. But Sprouse also advised Jackson to take advantage of prison programs aimed at building character and to take the opportunity, once his term is over, to live a good life.