SNOW HILL — An Ocean City man pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to burglary, theft and possession of heroin and was sentenced to 12 years, all but 18 months of which were suspended.
In late January, Ocean City Police served a warrant on Sean F. Dempsey, 24, of Ocean City, concluding several months of investigation. Dempsey was indicted by a Worcester County grand jury on multiple charges stemming from eight separate incidents that took place between May and November 2014.
The indictment indicated Dempsey allegedly broke into the Sun and Fun Motel in Ocean City, a felony that carries a maximum 15-year sentence. Another count alleges Dempsey used information obtained from his place of employment, Primo Hoagies, to obtain goods. Other counts allege Dempsey, on two separate occasions, stole money from his employer in amounts of at least $1,000 to under $10,000.
Several counts in the indictment alleged Dempsey was floating counterfeit checks, also felonies that carry 10-year maximum sentences. There were also multiple counts alleging credit card fraud. The indictment lists the alleged incidents during which Dempsey illegally used credit cards belonging to others. In addition, there are multiple counts in the indictment alleging heroin and paraphernalia possession.
Dempsey was charged with 31 separate counts including second-degree burglary, seven counts of theft and theft scheme, nine counts of credit card fraud, and heroin possession and paraphernalia possession among others. Last week, Dempsey pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and was sentenced to 12 years in jail, all but 18 months of which were suspended. He also pleaded to theft scheme and was sentenced to 10 years with all but 18 months suspended.
Dempsey also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and was sentenced to 18 months for that conviction. In total, Dempsey was sentenced to 18 months of active incarceration. He was also fined $500 and placed on supervised probation for three years upon his release. Dempsey was also ordered to pay restitution in the amounts of $263 to the Sun and Fun Motel and $1,299 to Primo Hoagies.