Courtney P. Scott, Armed Robbery of a Fast Food Establishment, Illi…

An armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in Illinois has landed a convicted felon behind bars for over 11 years. Courtney P. Scott, 47, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a Jack in the Box in Swansea on March 27, 2016.

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. when Scott entered the restaurant with a loaded .38 caliber revolver and demanded money from the manager. As Scott waited for the safe to expire, an employee was able to call 911, and police arrived, surrounding the restaurant. Scott eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.

The investigation was conducted by the Swansea Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the O’Fallon Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura V. Reppert.

Scott was previously convicted of armed robbery in 2008, demonstrating a pattern of violent behavior. The recent sentence includes 5 years of supervised release and a $300 special assessment.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois has been actively pursuing cases like this as part of their Metro-East Armed Robbery Initiative. This initiative aims to reduce armed robberies in the area by aggressively prosecuting those who commit these crimes.

Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced the sentencing, highlighting the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions. The sentencing of Courtney P. Scott serves as a reminder that violent crimes will not be tolerated in the community.

The case against Scott is just one example of the many brought forth by the United States Attorney’s Office as a result of the Metro-East Armed Robbery Initiative. The initiative has been successful in reducing armed robberies in the area, and the sentencing of Scott will likely serve as a deterrent to others considering committing similar crimes.