A pair of Powell County residents charged with kidnapping a Dollar General employee after a shoplifting spree last year will likely serve time.

James Mahan, 34, and Charlotte Smith, 29, were scheduled to be tried later this year, but pleaded guilty to reduced charged Thursday in Clark Circuit Court.

Both were charged with kidnapping and second-degree robbery for the Nov. 30, 2016, incident at the store on West Lexington Avenue.

Thursday, Smith pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment and a recommended three year prison sentence. Her robbery charge was dismissed.

Mahan pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment and second-degree robbery.

Prosecutors dismissed a persistent felony offender charge against Mahan and recommended he serve five years for each charge.

The pair is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21.

Smith told Clark Circuit Judge Jean Chenault Logue that she was shoplifting in the store when she was confronted by an employee.

Mahan said smith exited the store and was tackled by the employee. Mahan said he helped free Smith and they both jumped in their car. The employee jumped in as well as they fled from the store.

According to the arrest warrant, Smith threatened to kill the employee at her brother’s house.

Mahan said the employee jumped out of the car when they stopped for a stop sign.

Smith and Mahan were arrested later in Powell County.