William Mason Humphreys, age 41, was sentenced earlier today in Lexington County to 15 years in prison for the crimes of Armed Robbery and Possession of a weapon during the commission of a Violent Crime.  The sentence was handed down by Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley. The crime of armed robbery is classified under South Carolina law as a violent crime and a “no parole” offense.

The case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Angela Garrick Martin. Martin commented, “I am pleased that a violent criminal is behind bars where he cannot hurt hardworking individuals like the hotel night clerk.” Martin stated that the clerk still experiences fear as a result of this crime.

On September 17, 2017, at approximately 1:30 am, Humphreys entered the Baymont Inn and Suites located at 347 Zimalcrest Drive in Lexington County. Humphreys, while dressed in jeans and a dark hoodie, presented a black handgun and pointed it towards the face of the hotel night clerk. Humphreys demanded cash and then stole money from the cash drawer at gunpoint. Humphreys fled the scene.

Following the robbery, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department obtained surveillance video and released images of the suspect to local media.  As a result, law enforcement and Midlands Crimestoppers received numerous tips from the community. The tips positively identified Humphreys as the lone gunman. Within three days, investigators located Humphreys and collected his shoes and a pair of distinctive jeans that appeared to be identical to the clothing worn on the surveillance video.  After his arrest, law enforcement learned that Humphreys admitted to family and friends that he committed the robbery in order to rent a local motel room.

Humphreys is being transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of his sentence.