Katerena Abella Bedjan, 28, pleaded guilty to an October 2021 armed robbery incident in Myrtle Beach that led to the subsequent death of the man she intended to rob.
15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said in a release to the public yesterday Bedjan pleaded guilty rather than go to trial.
Judge Michael Nettles presided over the case. Nettles sentenced Bedjan to 15 years in prison.
Under South Carolina law, Bedjan must serve a minimum of 85% of her sentence before she is eligible for supervised release, Richardson stated.
Bedjan met the victim, a 49-year-old North Carolina man, in October 2021 while she was auditioning to be an adult entertainer in North Myrtle Beach, according to the release. She made arrangements with the man to pay her to spend the weekend together in Myrtle Beach.
Bedjan then texted a codefendant, Leo Watkins, telling him that the person she was spending the weekend with would have cash and would be an easy target for a robbery.
Bedjan notified Watkins on Oct. 30, 2021, that she and the victim were in her car located off Shore Drive in the Lake Arrowhead section of Horry County. Watkins made his way to that area, approached the vehicle, opened the door and tried to take the man’s wallet.
The man struggled with Watkins. Watkins then fired a gunshot, which hit the man directly causing his death.
Watkins’ case is pending.
Watkins faces charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, attempted armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, Richardson said.
Bedjan is expected to provide testimony for the prosecution, incriminating Watkins at his upcoming trial.