Defendant in robbery of veteran pleads guilty

The second defendant in the robbery of a 101-year-old veteran pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Robbie Hernandez, 27, was set for sentencing Aug. 26 along with Jordan Burkhart, 23, the other defendant in the case.

Both men accepted the plea bargain that cut the five felony counts they were originally charged with to a single count of robbery with a elderly victim enhancement.

Burkhart pleaded a week ago before District Judge James Wilson but Hernandez hesitated when asked for his plea. Under questioning as to whether he truly wanted to plead guilty, he asked for a week to think about it.

Senior Judge Noel Manoukian, sitting for Wilson on Tuesday, accepted the plea after asking Hernandez whether he understood the plea bargain and the conditions including the enhancement sentence, by law, must be served consecutively to the robbery sentence. He said he understood.

Manoukian also asked if he was familiar with court and whether he had any previous appearances in criminal court.

“Yes, sir. Multiple occasions,” Hernandez said.

They were charged with robbing 101-year-old James Sorrentino and his caregiver at gunpoint. The robbery of the World War II veteran took place at his south Carson City home on Memorial Day.

When sentenced by Wilson, the two could receive up to 35 years in prison — 2-15 years for the robbery and 1-20 years for the enhancement.