Rucker Gets 40 Years for 16-Home Burglary Spree

A revised sentence for 33-year old Sedric Armone Rucker, the Hartwell man accused in a burglary spree that included 16 homes in Hart County.

Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White, said on Friday a judge sentenced Rucker to 40 years in prison with no possibility of parole.

During the sentencing hearing, five victims testified about the impact Rucker’s burglary spree had had on their lives.  One victim told the court she no longer felt safe in her own home.

Last Wednesday, Rucker pleaded guilty to all 16 counts, avoiding a costly trial in Hart County Superior Court.

The judge at that time, had initially sentenced Rucker to 320 years in order keep him from withdrawing his guilty plea.

Rucker was arrested in December 2013 on a domestic violence charge and authorities say he admitted to the crime spree while in custody.  He later recanted that confession.

However, at the time of his arrest, Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said Rucker described in detail each of the alleged crimes.

Sheriff Cleveland said Rucker broke into homes looking for small items, mainly jewelry, that his girlfriend could easily pawn or sell.

The burglaries reportedly took place over an eight-week period in 2013. Most of the stolen items, Cleveland said, were recovered.

White said Rucker is a repeat offender who still faces trial in both Elbert and Franklin Counties for some ten burglaries.