POINT PLEASANT — A Point Pleasant man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for his alleged role in a robbery which took place at the Apple Grove Post Office in February 2012.
Shane D. Neal, 32, recently appeared before Judge David W. Nibert who approved his plea agreement which included a mandatory sentence of 10 years. Nibert gave Neal credit for time already served. The plea agreement also included an agreement between the defendant’s counsel and the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office not to prosecute Neal on other pending misdemeanor charges, including the alleged fraudulent use of an access device at a local grocery store.
Neal entered a nolo contendere, or no contest, plea. A no contest plea means a pleading that does not admit guilt but subjects the defendant to being punished as though guilty. When a person pleas nolo contendere, they are not admitting or denying responsibility for the acts in question but agree to accept the punishment. By pleading nolo contendere a defendant is leaving it entirely up to the court’s discretion to determine whether or not they are guilty. In his official order, based upon the plea agreement, Nibert did conditionally adjudge Neal guilty in the crime of robbery in the first degree. Neal was originally charged with robbery in the second degree in Mason County Magistrate Court.
According to the official criminal complaint filed against Neal in magistrate court, on Feb. 22, 2012, Neal allegedly entered the Apple Grove Post Office and presented a note to the clerk asking for money and saying he had an accomplice watching the back of the building. Neal had his face covered and was clutching at his waistband as if he had a concealed pistol, making the clerk fearful for her life, according to the compliant.
The complaint says Neal got away with in excess of $800 in cash and fled in a white Pontiac. Neal was later identified and a warrant issued for his arrest which eventually happened on March 7, 2012.
Neal is currently housed in the Western Regional Jail.
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