BARRE — A Granite City man accused of robbing multiple stores last fall has admitted to robbing one of them in a plea agreement that would see him released to a rehabilitation facility with the hope of resolving his remaining charges through drug treatment court.
Korey Dalley, 29, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Washington County criminal court in Barre to a felony count of assault and robbery with a weapon. Dalley was sentenced to one to five years, all suspended except for 76 days to serve, with credit for 64 days served. He also was placed on probation for 10 years.
Dalley was housed at Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury as of Thursday morning and had been ordered held without bail since his arraignment in November.
The plea agreement notes Dalley is to be released to Serenity House, a rehabilitation facility in Wallingford, on Jan. 15. If he successfully completes the rehabilitation program, he is expected to enter into another plea agreement with the state that would resolve his other open dockets and would place him in treatment court. The plea agreement Dalley entered into Tuesday states he can be eligible for release from probation on this case a year after he completes treatment court.
According to court records for the assault and robbery conviction, police in Montpelier were notified Oct. 12 that a panic alarm had been activated at the Mobil convenience store on Berlin Street. Police said the store clerk reported the robber, later identified as Dalley, entered the store, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded all the money in the cash register.
While the victim reported it appeared the gun was plastic and thought the robbery might be a joke, he reported Dalley racked the gun’s slide back when confronted and demanded cash and cigarettes, according to court records. Police said Dalley made off with $390.67 in cash and five packs of cigarettes.
Police said Dalley was identified as the robber through a family member after police issued a news release seeking information about the robbery. The family member reported Dalley had been using drugs, including heroin, and had recently been kicked out of his home, according to court records.
It was later stated in court that Dalley told police he ditched the gun and reported it was a BB gun.
Dalley also is facing charges for allegedly robbing the Shell gas station in South Barre on Oct. 15 and the Jiffy Mart in East Barre on Nov. 1. And he is accused of making off with a computer from a store in Barre City on Oct. 9.
In court Tuesday, Deputy State’s Attorney Zachery Weight said Dalley has no prior criminal convictions, will serve 77 days as part of his sentence, and Dalley will receive a felony conviction with this plea agreement. Weight said depending on what Dalley does going forward, this case could end up being his only felony conviction and would not serve any more time behind bars.
The prosecutor said if Dalley complies with treatment, his office will support Dalley entering into treatment court and resolving his remaining pending cases.
Dalley said his time in prison has helped him clear his head and see the direction he needs to go.
Judge John Pacht said Dalley needs support now and urged Dalley to do the hard work that will be needed in treatment. Pacht said the behavior Dalley had been engaging in is quite serious.
The judge said the quicker Dalley understands and accepts that he needs help, the better chance he will have at being successful.
