Two teens charged with murder in connection with the death  of a Roan Mountain man have given confessions to the crime according to Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes.

Anthony Joseph Lacy, 18, and Demtrice Dontrial Cordell, 19, were arrested late Friday night by officers of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. Lacey and Cordell have each been charged with first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, evading arrest, and theft of property over $1,000, and theft of property over $500. Both subjects are currently being held in the Carter County Detention Center under a $210,000 bond.

Mathes held a press conference on Sunday afternoon to release additional details on the crime. He said that both Lacy and Cordell have given confessions regarding the death of 56-year-old Danny R. Vance, of 690 Heaton Creek Road, Roan Mountain.

Vance’s death was the culmination of a crime spree perpetrated by Lacy and Cordell, Mathes said, describing the suspects activities as “terrorizing the Roan Mountain area.” Mathes said Lacy and Cordell committed crimes ranging from stealing items from vehicles as well as stealing a truck and a 4-wheeler prior Vance’s death.

Mathes said Lacy had knowledge that Vance had firearms at his residence as well as cash and that Lacy and Cordell “orchestrated a plan” to rob Vance.

“The two of them lured Mr. Vane out of his house,” Mathes said. “We know Mr. Vance was struck multiple times with a rock, primarily and specifically in the back of the head.

“We know they went into the house, after murdering Mr. Vance, and robbed him.”

For more information on this story, see the next print edition of the Elizabethton Star.