The leader of a group of teenagers who broke into an elderly Tacoma woman’s home and robbed her at gunpoint pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison.

Vernon Lee Ward, 17, must serve 10 years of that sentence before he will be eligible for a reduction for good time, Pierce County deputy prosecutor Doug Hill said.

Ward pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery. Both charges carried five-year sentencing enhancements because Ward admitted that he or an accomplice used a gun during the crime.

Ward, whom Hill identified as the ringleader, and three other teens broke into the 86-year-old woman’s home in January, forced her to write them checks, then stole her purse and car.

The woman told police she awoke about 3 a.m. to find four young men in her house, at least two of them brandishing guns, court records state.

They demanded cash, she told police.

Two others arrested in the crime – Miguel Ramos, 17, and Richard Torres, 16 – pleaded guilty earlier this month and were sentenced to more than nine years.

The fourth co-defendant, Trevonn Rollins, 18, is scheduled to go to trial in October.

The News Tribune generally does not publish the names of juveniles accused of crimes but is doing so in this case because the defendants were prosecuted as adults.

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644 adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/crime