18-year-old found guilty, sentenced for 2006 home invasion

BOLIVIA—A jury found 18-year-old Darren Deanthony Marlow guilty Friday in connection with the December 2006 home invasion of an elderly Hickmans Crossroads woman.

The former West Brunswick High School athlete was sentenced to 42 to 60 months in state prison by Superior Court Judge Tom Lock after a 12-member jury found Marlow guilty of first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, and felony larceny.

Marlow was acquitted on a fourth charge of second-degree kidnapping in connection with the Dec. 17, 2006, home invasion of Lillian Hickman, now 81, who testified at Marlow’s trial on Wednesday.

He also was ordered to make restitution to Hickman in the amount of $3,127, a portion of the money that was stolen from her home.

Marlow was immediately taken into custody by a Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputy following his sentencing.

Marlow was among five former WBHS students who were arrested on identical charges the following day by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

The other four—Chasen Duke, Andre Hill, Charles “Dee” Hill and Eric Gore—pleaded guilty last year and were each sentenced to 61 months in prison.

“I’m just glad it’s over with,” Hickman said as she exited the courtroom.

Hickman was at home sewing the night three or four men wearing ski masks and gloves broke through her door and tried to bind her with duct tape, then forced her into a bathroom where she was able to call 911 on a telephone.

Hickman’s purse and a glass pitcher containing cash were also stolen.

An investigation by detectives who testified at Marlow’s trial indicated Marlow did not enter Hickman’s home but waited outside in a car while the robbery took place.

His attorney, Mike Ramos, argued Marlow should be tried on a lesser charge because he did not go in the house and did not know what was taking place.

A portion of the money was later recovered from a Dumpster behind a Kangaroo store in Supply.