Kaleb Thomas Besancon, age 19, of Lexington, pled guilty last, to one count of
Armed Robbery and one count of Burglary Second Degree Violent in Lexington County stemming
from two separate incidents.

Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley presided over the guilty plea
and sentenced Besancon to 20 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for
the armed robbery. Judge Keesley also sentenced Besancon to 10 years for the burglary and
ran these sentences consecutively.

Besancon will have to serve 20 years in prison. Under South Carolina law, armed robbery is classified as a violent, most serious, and “no parole” offense. 

On November 13, 2022, Besancon entered the Circle K located on Augusta Highway in the West
Columbia area of Lexington County wearing a mask and armed with a firearm. While pointing the
gun at the cashier, Besancon stole money from the cash register and vape pens. After fleeing the
store, Besancon was located and detained by a Lexington County Sheriff’s Department deputy.
Besancon had in his possession the stolen money, the stolen vape pens, and a fully-loaded
firearm. After he was arrested, the magistrate set a surety bond and Besancon was able to post his
bond on February 15, 2023.

While out on bond, on June 5, 2023, Besancon and two co-defendants broke into an occupied
residence in the Lexington area of the county while wearing masks and armed with firearms
shortly after midnight. Besancon forcefully kicked the door and left the door frame on the living
room floor. The group then fled in a silver in color Dodge Charger. The incident was captured on
the victim’s doorbell camera.

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the home and the group was gone. While deputies were still on scene, a silver in color Dodge Charger returned to the area. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the Dodge Charger fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

Deputies were later notified of a high-velocity collision involving this vehicle. When deputies responded to the scene of the collision with the assistance of a K9 unit, they were able to apprehend Besancon and his co-defendants hiding in the woods and recovered one firearm. 

Besancon’s bond was revoked during an emergency bond revocation hearing at the request of
Assistant Solicitor Ashley Wellman who handled the prosecution of these case. These cases were
investigated by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Besancon will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin service of
his sentence.