Career Criminal Convicted of Burglarizing Wal-Mart

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction against a career criminal who burglarized a north Knoxville Wal-Mart. Larry Charles Hefner, Jr., 45, was convicted by a jury of Burglary after the jury deliberated for only ten minutes. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on February 28.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald explained to the jury that on April 13, 2017, Knoxville Police Department Officer Mike Dabbelt responded to Wal-Mart at 6777 Clinton Highway where Wal-Mart Loss Prevention had observed Hefner concealing merchandise and leaving the store without paying. Hefner was not allowed on Wal-Mart property because of four previous occasions where he stole from the store.

Hefner has sixteen prior felony convictions for Aggravated Burglary, Burglary, and Theft out of Knox, Blount, and Anderson Counties. He also has over a dozen misdemeanor convictions, including several for Theft. Because of his extensive criminal history, Hefner is facing twelve years in prison.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.