Gerald Caldwell, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, kidnapping and attempted armed robbery.
Gerald Caldwell, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, kidnapping and attempted armed robbery. Caldwell, a previous sex offender, will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Mark Hayes’ prison sentence before he is eligible for release.
On Sept. 22, 2016, Caldwell approached a homeowner burning yard debris in Boiling Springs and attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Caldwell kept the gun pointed at the victim for over an hour forcing him inside the residence.
During the robbery attempt, Caldwell attempted to steal a truck and a motorcycle, but neither were in working order. He also made the victim show him his wallet to prove he had no money in it. During the crime, Caldwell drank a Coca-Cola and smoked cigarettes and threw them away in the burning yard debris. Caldwell threatened the victim before fleeing the home.
Sheriff’s deputies connected Caldwell to the crime through the victim’s description and a DNA sample that was taken from the cigarette butts. Caldwell claimed in court he had no recollection of the events, as he was high on meth and crack cocaine.
“The victim has had trouble sleeping after this incident, but now that Caldwell will be behind bars for a long time, I know the victim will sleep soundly tonight,” assistant solicitor Eddie Hunter said.
Caldwell’s prior criminal record included convictions for criminal domestic violence, driving under the influence and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
