Jackson man charged in business break-ins pleads guilty to all counts

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man charged with breaking into multiple Jackson businesses pleaded guilty Monday after a judge rejected a plea deal last week.

Andrew Kim

After talking it over with his attorney, Andrew Kim waived his right to a trial Monday morning and pleaded guilty to all 14 charges against him.

“He was more interested in accepting responsibility, making amends for what he had done and moving forward,” defense attorney Mark Donahoe said.

“You did commit both of those offenses as he described,” Madison County Circuit Court Judge Don Allen asked Kim.

“Yes, your honor,” Kim replied.

Kim admitted to breaking into and stealing from multiple Jackson businesses earlier this year including Outdoors Inc., Office Max, Best Buy and Coffman’s Home Furnishings.

“You’ll see his willingness to do whatever necessary to compensate these people if they’ve received any damages,” Donahoe said.

After Judge Don Allen told Kim his guilty plea can’t be withdrawn once accepted, he got emotional.

“Do you feel like you understand what you’re doing here by pleading guilty here today,” Judge Allen asked.

“Yes sir,” Kim replied, crying.

Kim pleaded guilty to six burglary counts, seven theft counts and a count of vandalism. The burglary and some of the theft charges can carry two- to four-year sentences.

“It gives you an idea of how he feels about the whole thing and what his position is and how he feels about what he’s done, trying the take responsibility for what he’s done,” Donahoe said.

Kim remains in custody without bond in the Madison County jail. He is set to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 20.