Cahokia Robbers Plead Guilty to Violent Convenience Store Heists

Three ruthless criminals have confessed to a string of brazen armed robberies in Cahokia, Illinois. Leslie Woods, 22, Derek Marshall, 24, and Terrell McGee, 26, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for their roles in the violent takeovers of two local convenience stores.

The trio, along with accomplices James Smith and Reshon Farmer, struck fear into the community on June 17, 2010, when they robbed the Best Stop convenience store at gunpoint. Marshall, armed with a stolen .40 caliber pistol, shot a customer during their escape, narrowly missing a parked car. Just five hours later, they struck again at D&D’s MiniMart, leaving one clerk severely injured.

Documents filed in court show that Woods and Marshall were identified through fingerprints and ballistics evidence as the culprits responsible for both robberies. The stolen vehicles and firearms used during the crimes further tied the gang to their heists.

In 2015, federal charges of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, and use and carry of a firearm during a crime of violence were brought against Woods, Marshall, and McGee. During a subsequent interview, McGee admitted his involvement in the crimes.

The community remains on edge as the guilty plea closes one chapter of Cahokia’s violent past. However, the U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce has promised that justice will be served for the victims of these heinous acts.