Bunnell man convicted of home invasion robbery

Flagler County Sheriff's Office booking photo of Edmon Welch

BUNNELL, Fla. – A Bunnell man was convicted by a Flagler County jury Friday on three felony charges connected with a June 2013 home-invasion robbery of an elderly man and faces a possible life sentence.

Edmon Nathaniel Welch, 34, was convicted of home invasion robbery, a burglary with a battery and battery on a person 65 or older. Prosecutors will seek to have Welch designated a prison releasee re-offender, which, if accepted by the court, will make a life sentence mandatory.

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Evidence presented by prosecutors showed that Welch and two other men, forced their way into the home of 88-year-old Ray Mercer and robbed him of about $200. Mercer suffered injuries to his arms in the attack. 

Welch's criminal record includes nine prior felony convictions, including two prior burglaries, a grand theft over $20,000 and a conviction for acting as an accessory after the fact to robbery. Welch also has 22 prior misdemeanor convictions. 

"The defendant's prior record reflects why we have a dedicated Career Criminal Unit," State Attorney R.J. Larizza said following the conviction. 

Judge David Walsh will sentence Welch at a hearing set for Feb. 24.