Man faces 17 years to life in payday loan robberies

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By Linda McNatt
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 14, 2008

SUFFOLK

Just before Christmas, Corey T. Hill had no money to buy gifts for his children, so he robbed Advance America on Godwin Boulevard.

A couple of months later, Hill was broke after gambling away his paycheck playing poker. He robbed another Advance America on Towne Point Road, according to court testimony.

In court Wednesday, Hill learned that he'll have to serve at least 17 years for robbing the payday loan businesses, and he could serve life in prison for his crimes.

Hill pleaded not guilty to the first robbery, but later confessed to police that he'd held up both places, according to authorities. He pleaded guilty to the second robbery because he was caught on videotape - he peeled off the mask he wore and peered into the security camera before walking out the door.

Judge Westbrook Parker found Hill, 32, of Smithfield, guilty of two counts of robbery, two counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony and two counts of wearing a mask in public. Parker also found him guilty of abduction because, Parker said, Hill had told the clerk to go into a back room so he could escape.

Parker is taking under advisement possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges. The guns in both cases were toys, Hill said. One belonged to his young son. Hill said he painted the orange tip black.

The other toy gun was clear plastic and purchased at Wal-Mart. Hill said he spray-painted it black.

Hill will be sentenced on Nov. 20. Depending on the judge's decision about the firearms possession charges, he could get an additional eight years, prosecutor Susan Walton said.

Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com

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Hmmmmmm

Submitted by avant1021 on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 10:12 am.

You know I don't understand our justice system, nor do I trust it. You're telling me that this man will serve at least 17 years for robbery, But these wacko child molester/murders can serve ten years here, 5 years there, and walk just to go back and do it all over again???? I just don't understand???? Mind you I don't think this man by any means should get off, but really 17 years to life!!!!!! ugggggg when will they get it right?????

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payday response

Submitted by crackajdawg on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 10:02 am.

You must work for or own a payday loan place.

I think this sentence is too long.

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Where's the justice?

Submitted by donvabeach on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 9:57 am.

As I remember, over a year ago, some corporation robbed over a thousand people of money they couldn't afford to lose, making them pay for computers and tv sets that were never delivered. The loss to those people is well over a million dollars, and the company has no money left to reimburse them. I don't think anyone's behind bars for that one.

Here's a guy who robbed for a few hundred dollars, with a toy gun no less, and might end up in jail for life? While I don't condone what he did, I have to ask: is that justice? Either there's a whole lot more to this case than I'm reading, or justice is becomming not only blind, but also deaf, dumb and stupid.

Lastly, if he had a real gun, all bets would be off. But...a toy gun?

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payday loans

Submitted by waynes21170 on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 8:32 am.

Yes, their loan rates are terribly high, but keep in mind--those payday loans are only designed as a 'quick fix' for folks who have sudden emergencies, and who don't have normal lines of credit available to them. Plus, if they are used with discretion and some thought (in advance)for how they are to be paid back, the payday loans can practically be a life-saver. And trust me on this: people from ALL walks of life, and ALL levels of income walk in to those places! It isn't just a 'hang-out' for low income level, indigent people. Let's face it--these days we're all having tough economic issues to deal with. These payday loan places are just a useful tool; they're not meant to be means for structuring your finances, or managing your debt load thru the long term.

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something's not right here...

Submitted by norml70608 on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 1:10 am.

This guy is facing 17-years to life for robbing two "stab-you-in-the-back-and-twist-it" (legitimate) loan shark organizations, yet people who commit MURDER, RAPE or ARSON get away with a relatively light slap on the wrist?

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