Darlington County, SC – A Hartsville man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to burglary and grand larceny in connection with the break-in of a local business, according to the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
According to the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, William Kahler Johnson pleaded guilty in Darlington County General Sessions Court to Burglary, Second Degree, and Grand Larceny stemming from the burglary of a business on North Fifth Street in Hartsville.
Prosecutors said the burglary occurred on April 27, 2025, when Johnson allegedly broke into the business and stole multiple tires. Investigators with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office identified Johnson through surveillance video, leading to his arrest.
Deputy Solicitor Patti Parker prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Officials said no negotiated plea agreement was offered, and Johnson entered guilty pleas to both charges without any reduction in charges. The sentence was left to the discretion of the presiding judge.
Judge Kinlaw sentenced Johnson to 15 years for second-degree burglary, suspended upon the service of five years in prison, followed by five years of probation. On the grand larceny conviction, Johnson was sentenced to five years of active imprisonment.
According to prosecutors, second-degree burglary is classified as a violent and serious offense under South Carolina law, making the conviction a strike under the state’s Two-Strikes/Three-Strikes Law. Officials said any future qualifying convictions could subject Johnson to substantially enhanced penalties, including the possibility of a mandatory life sentence.
Solicitor Paul “Mike” Burch Jr. said the sentence reflects the serious impact burglaries have on local businesses and praised the work of Deputy Solicitor Patti Parker and the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office in bringing the case to a conclusion.
