Laramie Student Pleads Guilty to Felony Burglary

A man charged with felony burglary admitted Tuesday in Albany County District Court to stealing a bracelet and watch – together worth well over $5,000- from a WyoTech dorm room. Hamilton was attending school at WyoTech at the time.

Brandon Joseph Hamilton, 20, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $10,000 in fines if convicted. He will be sentenced pending completion of the presentence investigation report.

The investigation into Hamilton began when a Laramie police detective spoke with the victim, who confirmed that two items were missing from a wooden box next to his bed. The detective used a database of pawn brokers and found that Hamilton sold the bracelet to Mister Money on Sept. 30 for $1,000 cash.  Hamilton had identified himself as the owner of the bracelet, according to court documents.

The detective then matched Hamilton’s phone number to a number that had called Ann’s Pawn Shop trying to sell a wristwatch, according to the affidavit.

The detective recovered the bracelet but has not yet recovered the watch.

Hamilton admitted to entering the WyoTech dorm room while classes were in session and the building was empty. He said he took the items because he needed to pay rent.