Lenoir Man Sentenced For Obtaining Property By False Pretenses

LENOIR, N.C. – A Lenoir man was sentenced to six to nine years in prison for obtaining property by false pretenses in Caldwell County.

Johnny Oscar Hawkins, 44, agreed to a plea deal on Wednesday, January 17th for his three charges.

On three separate occasions in July of 2021, Hawkins entered a Hickory business and stole items off the sales floor without paying for them. He would then return the stolen items in exchange for gift cards.

Hawkins was caught making returns on the store’s video surveillance system.

Hawkins received a longer prison sentence due to his prior felony convictions in Caldwell County. He was previously charged for breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods and obtaining property on false pretense between 2003 and 2011.