CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former University of Charleston basketball player pleaded guilty to robbery and using a stolen credit card in Kanawha County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
Terrell Lipkins, 22, was arrested along with two other UC players and a fourth man last April after they were accused of an early-morning attack in which they robbed two men in downtown Charleston.
During the plea hearing, Lipkins admitted he, Keith Dreher, Quincy Washington and Timothy Schmachenberger were all together the night of April 20.
Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Fred Giggenbach asked, “Were you all drinking that night?”
“Yeah, we were drinking,” said Lipkins.
After leaving a downtown bar, Lipkins said he and his friends were walking down Virginia Street when one of the other men attacked two people headed in the opposite direction. Andrew Rude and Patrick Morrison were hit and kicked to the ground.
“It’s your assertion that you all did not plan a robbery, right,” asked Giggenbach.
“No sir, this was not planned,” Lipkins replied.
When asked by Giggenbach, “Did you ever strike anybody that night?”
Lipkins answered, “No sir.”
But Lipkins did admit to taking credit cards belonging to both victims and a short time later using the cards across town at a fast food restaurant. When police later searched Lipkins’ car they found the receipts.
Lipkins pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, fraudulent use of an access device and conspiracy to fraudulent use of an access device as part of a plea bargain. The prosecutor’s office said they will ask that those sentences be served concurrently when Lipkins returns to court on Oct. 30.
Judge Duke Bloom would not consider Lipkins’ attorney’s request for a lower bond.
“This is a crime of violence. He’s not eligible for post-conviction release on bond,” Bloom said.
The judge agreed, however, to one request from the defense after concerns were raised about Lipkins’ safety behind bars: “Please notify the jail that he’s to be segregated from his co-defendants,” Bloom said.
Lipkins was UC’s high scorer last season. He, Washington and Dreher were kicked off the team after their arrests.