FARMINGTON — A former Farmington man pleaded guilty Monday to robbing an Irving store on Main Street in Farmington last year and grabbing $153 from the cash register drawer.

Judge Philip Mohlar sentenced William Moholland, 56, to serve nine months of a six-year sentence, followed by four years of probation.

Moholland had been residing with his parents in Lincoln County.

William Moholland Franklin County Detention Center photo

He pleaded guilty to robbery, and had charges of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and assault dismissed.

A conviction for robbery is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Mohlar watched a video in Farmington District Court that showed the clerk opening the register and Moholland throwing coffee at the clerk and grabbing cash before leaving the store.

Moholland avoided police the first day but police in Wilton saw him at a convenience store the next night and arrested him.

There was no prior agreement reached between the defense and state attorneys on a sentence.

Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said Moholland had a manslaughter conviction that involved stabbing a person with a knife in 1991. He has other convictions, including operating under the influence and assault, with his last one in 2009, he said.

Defense attorney Jason Ranger said Moholland wanted to plead guilty the day after he was arrested on May 28, 2023 .

Judge Mohlar said he remembered Moholland trying to enter a guilty plea, which Mohlar wouldn’t take at the time.

Moholland said at the time he robbed the store he was not in a good place in his mind. He was addicted to drugs and drank alcohol. He felt guilt, shame and disgust at himself, he said.

“I feel bad for what happened,” he said. “I made a bad decision … I am apologizing for my actions and I am here to do what you want me to do.”

Moholar took a brief recess after watching the video and returned to the courtroom to deliver his decision. He barred Moholland from going to any Irving. He also has to undergo substance abuse counseling and is prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol, among other conditions.

Moholland planned to turn himself into the jail on Monday.