Peoria man pleads guilty to 2009 bank robbery in Champaign
URBANA — A Peoria man already serving an 18-year prison sentence for armed robbery out of Peoria County has pleaded guilty to a Champaign bank robbery.
Antwan T. Phelps, 26, pleaded guilty Thursday before Champaign County Judge Harry Clem to aggravated robbery.
He admitted that on March 16, 2009, he took cash from two employees of the Centrue Bank, 1001 S. Neil St., while implying he had a weapon. A second man with him has not been charged.
Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris said police found a hair on the counter of the bank that was found to have the same DNA as Phelps'.
He was criminally charged with armed robbery in September 2009 but had two other armed robbery cases out of Peoria that were prosecuted first.
Under the terms of a plea agreement, Phelps will serve his sentence for the Champaign bank robbery at the same time he serves his Peoria County sentences.
Besides those armed robberies, Phelps also had prior convictions for attempted aggravated discharge of a firearm and robbery.
In other cases recently resolved in Champaign County with guilty pleas or sentences imposed by judges:
— Brandon Riser, 23, who listed an address in the 700 block of North Cunningham Avenue, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to residential burglary.
He admitted that on Aug. 13, he entered an apartment in the 800 block of West Green Street in Urbana, and took the resident's purse. She and her roommate were home and confronted him on the patio, according to Assistant State's Attorney Stephanie Weber.
Weber said Riser returned the purse and a digital camera and asked her not to call the police. He rode away on a bike, leaving behind a cell phone that police used to track him down.
Judge Tom Difanis agreed to recommend Riser for boot camp.
In return for his plea, a petition to revoke the probation he was on for aggravated battery was withdrawn.
— Rockeith Brown, 20, who listed an address in the 800 block of West Hill Street, Urbana, was sentenced to 30 months of probation and 133 days in the county jail for possession with intent to deliver cannabis.
He admitted that on Nov. 28, 2010, he had a little more than an ounce of cannabis, packaged in 21 bags, intended for sale.
A separate charge of aggravated battery stemming from an October incident was dismissed in return for his plea.
— Henaretta Allen, 41, whose last known address was in the 400 block of Edgebrook Drive, pleaded guilty to domestic battery for throwing hot grease on her boyfriend and was sentenced to a year of probation and 63 days in jail.
Harris said Allen and Terry Taylor were arguing at their apartment Sept. 9. She became angry at him while frying chicken and threw the hot grease on him. It hit his face, neck and shoulder, Harris said.
More serious charges of heinous battery and aggravated domestic battery were dismissed.
— Dean A. Goble, 17, who listed an address in the 1300 block of North Cunningham Avenue, Urbana, was sentenced to 30 months of probation after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle.
He admitted he had a school van that had been stolen from Circle Academy at 1204 N. Division Ave., U, on Sept. 9.
Goble was also ordered to make $250 restitution and spend 55 days in jail with credit for time served.,
— Wayne G. Valentine, 56, who listed an address in the 100 block of North Race Street, Urbana, was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 60 days in jail after pleading guilty in October to misdemeanor driving under the influence.
He admitted that on June 18, he was driving a motorcycle on University Avenue near Cunningham Avenue in Urbana when he had been drinking.
As he headed west, his motorcycle collided with the rear tire of another motorcycle, which caused Valentine to be thrown from his cycle and injured.
He was also ordered to get a substance abuse evaluation and perform 100 hours of public service.
— Andy Shoemaker, 38, of Paxton, was sentenced to three years in prison in October after he pleaded guilty failure to report an accident involving injury.
He admitted that on July 28, he hit a car from behind on North Mattis Avenue near Bradley Avenue in Champaign then ran from his vehicle afterward. He was caught nearby and arrested.
A 33-year-old Champaign woman received injuries to her head, neck, and arm that required hospital treatment.









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