Armed Robbery results in 22 years in prison

Coles County Man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for armed robbery of Team Wireless Store. The sentencing has been given by U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm. The convicted is Alfred E. Jerry, 28, of Charleston, Ill. The sentencing was on Feb.11, 2020 for his actions on May 2, 2019.

Jerry was facing three counts in his indictment. The counts included obstructing commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of robbery, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded guilty of the charges on Sept.30, 2019. Jerry had robbed the Team Wireless store located on Woodfall Drive in Charleston, Ill.

He was caught on record by the store’s security system. The footage showed that a masked man had wielded a revolver as he entered the store. He ordered the two employees to enter into a back room. He threatened to shoot the employees if they didn’t complied. The gunman took cash and keys from one of the employees as they filled a trash bin with merchandise.

The gunman left with the cash, keys and merchandise after spending more than five minutes in the store. Jerry fled on foot as police officers with the Charleston Police Department and the Eastern Illinois University Police Department arrested him minutes after the robbery. A loaded revolver, stolen merchandise, and a ski mask was recovered by the police.

The U.S. Marshals Service have been containing Jerry since his arrest on May 2, 2019. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Charleston Police Department, the Eastern Illinois University Police Department, and the Coles County Sheriff’s Office, collaborated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen prosecuted the case.