Bountiful man sentenced to year in jail for 'little drug runners' case

FARMINGTON — A Bountiful man was ordered Monday to serve 364 days in jail after pleading guilty to drug distribution and robbing a teenager in January.

Preston Anthony Kilpatrick, 18, was given credit for 154 days already served, but is ineligible to earn time off of his sentence for good behavior.

Second District Judge Rita M. Cornish suspended prison sentences of five years to life for Kilpatrick's aggravated robbery charge, a first degree felony; and one to fifteen years for distribution of a controlled substance charge, a second degree felony.

Cornish said the only thing saving Kilpatrick from prison time is the victim's family extending mercy. The family is not seeking restitution and has expressed a desire for all parties to move on. And though they want no contact with Kilpatrick, family members said they don't want to derail the life of someone so young, she said.

However, the judge warned Kilpatrick that if he violates his parole terms upon his release from jail, the court won't be so lenient again.

"This is going to be a short leash," she said.

Kilpatrick admitted to conspiring with two teens to lure a 15-year-old to a Layton park with the intent of robbing him, court documents state. Kilpatrick then picked up the teen and drove him to a park to smoke marijuana. The teen was walking back to the car when Kilpatrick hit him in the back of the head repeatedly, according to court documents, and the two others joined in attacking the teen.

One of the attackers told the teen to give up "everything you've got," before Kilpatrick pointed a gun at the 15-year-old's head, the plea agreement states. The three then took several items from the boy, including his phone.

The boy told the police the robbery likely happened because he stole THC products from Kilpatrick. THC is the psychoactive substance contained in marijuana.

Police later learned that Kilpatrick was selling drugs to numerous people, many of them minors, the plea agreement states. Police also found an Instagram account called "pdawgs little drug runners," which contained at least four followers who were minors, including one as young as 13. Police found that Kilpatrick used the account to coordinate drug distribution.

On Feb. 6, Kilpatrick sent messages to the "pdawgs" account, saying he had illicit mushrooms, police said. He agreed to give them to two members of the group, including the 13-year-old, who had messaged about falling through ice in a nearby pond while previously high on mushrooms, the court document states.

Another message intercepted by police said that Kilpatrick was going to provide mushrooms to a second 13-year-old at a location in Layton. Worried about the minor's safety, police then went to the location and arrested Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick told police he had been selling drugs for "quite a while," the plea deal states. Kilpatrick told police that he didn't see a problem with his actions, saying "it was not dangerous for juveniles to use drugs like marijuana and mushrooms because it opens their minds."

The judge also shared her concerns Monday over Kilpatrick expressing in previous court proceedings that he harbors "resentment" toward the victim because it will now be more difficult for him to get jobs. Cornish said Kilpatrick needs to take a step back and realize "it's not all about him."

Defense attorney James Vilos said his client has expressed remorse many times and he's been "scared straight." Kilpatrick knows he's disappointed his family, Vilos said, and is "ready, willing and able" to serve his time.

While in jail, Kilpatrick will finish his high school diploma, take an anger management class and explore career options like plumbing, Vilos said.

Cornish also ordered Kilpatrick to complete a cognitive-behavioral course and pay a $1,421 fine.

Kilpatrick briefly addressed the court, saying he's "really sorry" for his actions and that the situation will never happen again.

"(I) just want to move on," he said.

Kilpatrick initially faced nine charges, but prosecutors dropped seven of them in exchange for guilty pleas to aggravated robbery and possession of a controlled substance.

Related topics