A 19-year-old man convicted of breaking into several vehicles in James City County admitted to having a drug abuse problem during his sentencing hearing Monday.
Tyler David Arguello was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being charged with three counts of grand larceny. Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court Judge Michael McGinty suspended all but 5 months of that sentence.
“Every time I’m on a drug, I get in trouble,” Arguello said in court Monday, explaining he was either on Xanex or “Triple C’s,” a combination of over-the-counter decongestive medicine, when he stole from the vehicles.
He said he has been seeking treatment for his substance abuse problem while incarcerated.
“It’s time to wake up,” McGinty told Arguello before issuing a sentence. “You’re in the real world now.”
Arguello was arrested May 15 after police searched his home and found several electronic devices that had been recently reported stolen from vehicles, according to a police report.
Defense Attorney Sara Yohn said Arguello was cooperative with investigators when his room was searched and admitted to police he stole items from the vehicles.
Arguello’s 14-year-old nephew was also charged in connection with the May thefts. Arguello said he initially “took the blame for it” and did not tell officers who else was involved in the thefts, later admitting to his lawyer he was not the only person involved.
Ten of 13 charges were dropped against Arguello at a June 17 preliminary hearing, court records show. He is also facing two felony breaking-and-entering charges in the city of Hampton.
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