The two young women involved in a Boone County burglary ring admitted their roles in at least two of the crimes last tuesday morning.

Heather Nichole Morris and Chelsea Dolan, both 21, came before Boone County Circuit Judge William Thompson to come clean, while their parents looked on. The two women, along with Jerry Messer II, were charged with a series of burglaries in Boone and Lincoln Counties which took place over several weeks in the fall of 2007. Sheriff's Department investigators believed the trio broke into homes to steal various items, which were then allegedly pawned at Britton's Pawn Shop in Danville. The money resulting from the stolen goods were used, according to the two women, to purchase illegal drugs. Morris plead guilty to single counts of burglary and conspiracy while Dolan admitted to charges of nighttime burglary and conspiracy.

Morris, a college student, told Judge Thompson that she, Dolan and Messer planned

the burglary of the homes of Thomas Rockne Stevens on Oct. 27, 2007. "Our plan was for me to distract the residents while Chelsea and Jerry stole the items," Morris

told the judge. "I was on drugs so bad," Morris said, fighting back tears. "I had a

really bad problem and I've ruined my life with this felony plea." Thompson accepted

her guilty plea but did not make a finding right away, choosing to wait until the

sentencing date of February 25, 2009. Morris could receive a possible sentence of

1-5 years for the conspiracy plea while her guilty plea on the burglary charge could

possibly net her a 1-15 year prison term. Her attorney, Bob White, told the Coal

Valley News that he hopes Judge Thompson will take into account his client's youth

and give her mercy when she is sentenced. As part of her plea agreement, Morris

promised to give truthful testimony if the case of Jerry Messer does go to trial. Indications are that he will appear before the court on Wednesday (Dec.3) to possibly enter into a plea agreement.

Dolan admitted to single charges of nighttime burglary and conspiracy in the case.

She also agreed to give testimony in the Messer case if asked and to pay restitution

to the families which she admitted stealing from. The young woman said she drove the car containing Morris and Messer to the home of Keith and Anne Phipps, of Julian, on December 28, 2007. "Heather distracted their son, Joel Phipps, while Jerry and I

stole the items." These items included guns and other valuable items. Dolan admitted

after some prodding from Judge Thompson that she considered Joel Phipps a friend of theirs. Dolan said she "got messed up on drugs and really screwed up."

Dolan also returns on February 25 to discover what sentence awaits her in the case.

She faces possible terms of 1-15 years for burglary while she faces not less one,

and no more than five years in connection with the conspiracy count. Dolan's

attorney, Keith Randolph, said he will be asking for leniency for his client next

winter.