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ROBBERY Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery Elderly couple robbed, forced into closet Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 5:06 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 5:31 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 5:06 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 5:31 PM » Social News A Medford man was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for his role in robbing a Jackson County couple with a shotgun and forcing them into a closet, where they were later rescued by sheriff's deputies. James Lewis Turner, 36, of the 400 block of Forelle Avenue in Medford pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and first-degree aggravated theft Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court. Other charges were dismissed in the plea agreement. Co-defendant Jason Ray Morgan, 37, of Grants Pass is scheduled to enter a guilty plea May 29. He faces charges of first and second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, first-degree aggravated theft, unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The two committed a home-invasion robbery May 3, 2014, after Morgan — who worked for a moving company — helped the couple move into their house, said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Nick Geil. The house, in the 2500 block of Pioneer Road outside Talent, had sold in 2013, according to real estate records. Morgan and Turner were armed with shotguns and wore ski masks when they forced their way into the house in the early-morning hours, Geil said. One of the defendants struck the man with a shotgun, causing injury, he said. Geil said deputies responded and rescued the victims from the closet. Morgan was lodged in the Jackson County Jail in August 2014 and Turner was jailed in October 2014. In addition to being sentenced to nearly six years in prison, Turner was ordered to pay $33,481 in restitution. The victims' vehicle was among the items stolen. Morgan could be ordered to pay half of that restitution figure. Turner's court-appointed defense attorney Donald Scales said Turner had been gainfully employed before getting mixed up with drugs and the wrong people. "This is a horrible example of how methamphetamine can destroy an otherwise productive citizen," Scales said. A search of Oregon court records shows no other cases against Turner going back at least five years. Turner said in court Friday he was ready to take responsibility for his actions. Morgan was charged with possession of methamphetamine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and marijuana in August 2014 when he was also charged for robbery, assault, burglary, theft, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a vehicle. The drug charges were later dismissed as the robbery-related charges moved forward. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 5:06 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 5:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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