PRINCESS ANNE — The man charged with the first degree murder of De’Quan Javon Fields pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

William John Pruitt, 43, of Crisfield was indicted in May for the robbery and killing of Fields, and forcibly taking his vehicle.

The 27-year-old was reported missing from Princess Anne by family on Jan. 12, 2023. Four days later his 2004 Dodge Durango with blood inside was located at the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area.

That blood matched the DNA profile for Fields. State Police and Natural Resources Police — and even community search parties — were organized to comb the area, but without success.

Investigators learned that the vehicle was operating on Deal Island Road and the surrounding areas between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2023.

A phone records analysis by Cpl. Daniel Townsend of the Criminal Enforcement Division showed contact between Pruitt and Fields the night before his disappearance. Tracking it by cell tower, there was travel from Princess Anne to Marion, where the phones were turned off.

Pruitt meanwhile was later arrested on burglary charges and during questioning gave statements implicating himself in the robbery and murder of Fields.

It was Pruitt’s statements that led investigators to the discovery of Fields’ remains and clothing that matched what he was wearing when he disappeared, according to State’s Attorney Wess Garner.

In exchange for Pruitt's plea to murder, the state did not pursue additional charges to include armed robbery, armed carjacking, first degree assault and firearm use during the commission of a felony.

Circuit Court Judge Daniel W. Powell on Oct. 28 set the sentence start date for Pruitt as March 8 and specifically advised that he was not eligible for parole.

In separate cases, Pruitt pleaded guilty to felony second degree burglary of the Eden Quick Stop on Feb. 1 for which he received a 15-year sentence to run concurrently.

He also pleaded guilty to burglary of King’s Creek Market on Feb. 5 and Somerset Automotive on Feb. 27 with these cases merged for sentencing also to run concurrently for 15 years.

Pruitt had a long criminal record going back to a felony theft conviction in the late 1990s. In 2012 he was indicted for armed robbery at King’s Creek Market and received a 20-year sentence with all but 12 years suspended.

At that time State’s Attorney Garner remarked on Pruitt having “quite a record” and how he had broken his foot jumping from a balcony trying to elude police.

Cpl. Townsend and Senior Tpr. Kristi Allen along with members of the Criminal Enforcement Division and Homicide Unit were commended by Mr. Garner for their role in the investigation and prosecution of the murder case against Pruitt.