Roderick L. Taylor, Armed Robbery, Illinois 2013

armed robbery

Belleville, IL – In a brazen act of violence, Arena Liquor was robbed at gunpoint on July 12, 2013. The perpetrators, Roderick L. Taylor and Charmonequette Reynolds, have been charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, a violation of the Hobbs Act, as well as with a charge of Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

According to sources, both defendants were ordered detained pending trial, meaning they will be held without bond. Their trial is scheduled for November 25, 2013.

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced the indictment on September 17, 2013. The case is being investigated by the Belleville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the Metro East Armed Robbery Initiative.

If convicted of a violation of the Hobbs Act, the defendants each face a term in prison of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. If convicted of the offense of Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, both defendants face a minimum term in prison of 7 years up to a maximum term of Life, consecutive to, meaning in addition to, any term of imprisonment imposed on the Hobbs Act violation, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers will be prosecuting the case. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information is released.

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