Special sentence imposed for joyriding teen

A Cheraw teen who stole several vehicles and went for joyrides before abandoning them has been sentenced on larceny and multiple burglary charges, according to a press release issued Wednesday by 4th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Adam Foard.

Brandon Michael McDougald, 19, of Cheraw was convicted Tuesday of second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, and two counts of grand larceny in connection with several unrelated incidents that happened in April and June 2008 in Cheraw.

Fourth Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Burch sentenced McDougald to a youthful offender sentence which is not to exceed five years, Foard said.A youthful offender sentence means McDougald will enter a division of the S.C. Department of Corrections that is separate from the general population of adults.

There, McDougland will receive punishment and instruction in the hopes of rehabilitation, Foard said.

The sentence also could include shock incarceration, meaning he will be eligible to enter a boot camp-style program administered by former U.S. Marine drill sergeants. If he successfully completes the shock program, he will be eligible for early parole and will be monitored for a minimum of five years.

The treatment could be followed by a consecutive youth offender sentence suspended to probation. Only upon release will his consecutive probation sentence activate, Foard said.

An infraction during these periods of parole or probation will result in a revocation and continued incarceration, Foard said.

McDougald was charged after Cheraw police received reports of stolen vehicles from local car lots.

In two of the cases, McDougald gained entry to the office of each lot and stole the keys to vehicles. He then took the vehicles and drove them for a while before leaving them abandoned. The vehicles in both incidents were recovered.