DAVIS PLEADS GUILTY TO DQ ROBBERY CHARGES
20-year-old Barton S. Davis of Florissant, Missouri has pled guilty in Bond County court to his involvement in the May 3rd armed robbery of a Dairy Queen employee. The robbery happened after closing when the employee was leaving the business with the night deposit bag. Two masked men indicated they had a weapon and one of them struck the man in the face. They then fled with the money in a vehicle driven by a third individual. The trio was stopped a short time later by a Bond County deputy on Old National Trail near Rocky Mountain Avenue. State’s Attorney Chris Bauer confirmed to WGEL that Davis was the driver of the vehicle.
Davis pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Robbery while a second count was dismissed. He was sentenced to 48 months probation and 100 days in jail with credit for time served. The remainder of the jail term will be stayed pending Davis’ completion of probation. He must also pay $2,000 in fine and costs along with $1,000 to the Bond County Anti-Crime Fund. Davis’ alleged co-defendants have court dates later this year…Brandon Stewart on August 17 and Jason McCullough on September 14.
TWO GREENVILLE FCI GUARDS INDICTED
Two correctional officers at the Greenville Federal Correctional Institution have been indicted by a grand jury. Daniel Gordon and Eric Newsome were indicted for allegedly violating the civil rights of an inmate and then lying to cover up their alleged crime. A grand jury charged both men with alleged assault on a federal inmate, conspiracy to violate the inmate's civil rights, and with filing false reports after the incident. Additionally, the grand jury charged Newsome with allegedly lying to a special agent of the United States Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum term of ten years in prison on each of the civil rights counts, ten years on the conspiracy count, and 20 years on each count of filing a false report. Newsome potentially faces an additional five years in prison for allegedly lying to the special agent. Each count also carries a maximum $250,000 fine.
GREENVILLE BUSINESS SEES INCREASED SALES FROM STORMS
Because the recent severe storms that hit the area left thousands of people without power, many from around the area headed to Greenville to stock up on food and ice. Capri IGA store manager Bob Heitzig told WGEL that they have seen a 6% to 10% increase in sales since the storms hit. He said that Capri IGA was selling out of ice, coolers, and pre-made food. Heitzig said that the store was able to quickly stock the shelves with ice and pre-made food after selling out. Local motels have also been impacted. Susan at Super 8 told WGEL that they were full from Thursday to Saturday due to people from the Granite City area who were suffering from no power at home. Emily at the Best Western reported sold out rooms through Sunday and Meal Patel at Budget Host said he had “out of power folks” from as far away as St. Louis.
