A Wrightsville man who shot a Park Avenue homeowner during a robbery nearly 12 years ago was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison in the Superior Court of Bulloch County.
Kenta Cook, 48, received the maximum sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for an incident that occurred Nov. 10, 2014. Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Matthew K. Hube imposed the sentence and it was announced by District Attorney Catherine A. Sumner.
According to a release from the District Attorney’s office, Cook unlawfully entered the Statesboro home of Freddie Brinson that day to commit a burglary. Brinson returned home for lunch and found Kent inside. As Brinson turned to leave the scene, he was shot in the back by the Kent.
According to the release, Kent’s firearm failed to cycle, preventing further shots. After shooting Brinson, Kent continued to burglarize the home before fleeing the scene and leaving the wounded Brinson on the floor.
Brinson suffered a serious gunshot wound and was taken to East Georgia Regional Medical Center, and then airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah. He was released from the hospital within a few days.
Statesboro Police detectives used Brinson’s physical description of the offender, combined with DNA evidence from the firearm and clothing, to identify Cook as the assailant. The identification was further supported by the defendant’s palm print found on the exterior door of the Brinson home. At the time of the offense, Cook was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.
During the sentencing hearing, Brinson, his wife, and two of his children delivered victim impact statements, detailing the toll the violent offense has taken on their family, friends and their community. Concluding his statement, Brinson spoke directly to the defendant, sharing that he has prayed unceasingly for him since the incident, the release stated.
Kent has been in continuous confinement since 2014 serving a separate federal prison sentence. He was transferred from federal custody in New York to Bulloch County October 6 to answer for the charges in this indictment. Upon completing his federal sentence, he will be transferred to the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections to begin serving this sentence.
The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
“Home is more than a place where we drop our bags upon entering. It is a place where we should be able to drop our worries—a sanctuary and a refuge. On November 10, 2014, Kenta Cook shattered the peace and safety the Brinson family found in their home. Today, he was brought to justice for those heinous crimes.
"We express our sincerest sympathies to Mr. Freddie Brinson, his family, and his loved ones for the horrific acts endured at the hands of this defendant, as well as our deepest gratitude for their grace and courage in standing before their invader.
"We also commend the Statesboro Police Department and Detective Keith Holloway for their diligent and resolute efforts in securing this conviction.”