NORWICH - On Monday, Brandy L. Bousson, 25, Norwich, appeared in Chenango County Court for her plea and sentencing. She changed her plea from not guilty to guilty to burglary in the third degree, a class D felony. As part of her plea deal, Bousson was sentenced to a split sentence of six months in the Chenango County Correctional Facility and five years of probation supervision. She is also required to participate in drug and alcohol counseling, submit a sample of her DNA (and the $50 surcharge) and pay restitution in the amount of $1,000, including a five percent surcharge.
The restitution will be paid in monthly payments of $75 beginning on July 15 until paid in full. Bousson was warned by Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr. that if she is found in willful violation of probation she could be charged with the full sentence of two and one-third to seven years in prison. Bousson was credited for time served at CCCF and was released Monday evening.
Boussan pled guilty to the charged that alleged on January 6, 2014, she – in concert with another individual, did enter Mayhood’s Sporting Goods in Norwich and stole six long guns, 26 handguns and a large amount of ammunition. According to owner Mike Mayhood the business had broken windows and ruined surveillance equipment. Bousson was arrested two days later on two counts of burglary.
Her cohort, Christopher M. Gonzalez, was found dead in a wooded area off County Road 36 in Norwich shortly after he was announced as a subject wanted for questioning in relation to the burglary. His death was deemed accidental and attributed to hypothermia, with drug toxicity as another contributing factor.
District Attorney Joseph McBride explained that Bousson had no prior criminal record before the incident. He stated that he knows the situation will stay with her forever and said, “She should think about how she will change her life.”
He continued, “She is now clean and sober, and should stay clean and sober when she gets out.”
“This was a very serious offense,” said Revoir to Bousson. “Continue to lead a law abiding life, which you were doing before you got into drugs.”
Revoir also added that keeping sober after dealing with a drug habit requires family support, and noted that he was happy to see members of her family present in the courtroom.
He explained that when he normally sees heroin addicts the first time in court they usually look “horrible,” but their appearance and health improves a noticeable amount after they have sobered up while in jail.
“You look 100 percent better and I assume you feel 100 percent better?” asked Revoir.
“Yes, I feel 100 times better,” said Bousson. When asked if she had anything to add after her sentencing Bousson thanked her attorney, John Cameron, and expressed her thanks for her family’s support.