WISE, Va. — A Wise County man has been sentenced to spend 13 years in prison, for the 2021 robbery of the Quality Inn in Big Stone Gap.

Byron Kent Newsom, 42, of Coeburn, pleaded guilty to robbery and using a firearm while committing a felony. He entered his plea without the benefit of an agreement with prosecutors.

“The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will always prosecute evil, violent actions like this to the full extent of our ability under the law,” Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kenneth F. Lammers Jr. said. “Shoving a rifle in the face of a woman working an honest job to rob her is inexcusable, and the court’s sentence showed that such acts will not be tolerated in Wise County and the City of Norton.”

Officials say Newsom walked into the motel office the night of Dec. 27, 2021, pointed a rifle at the clerk and demanded money. He then fled to Canton, North Carolina, where he was arrested.

After his capture, police found the gun used in the robbery, along with other items linking him to the scene.

When he is released, he will remain on probation for 10 years.