Macon – A 20-year-old Macon man pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to his part in a series of 2017 armed robberies at local restaurants, motels and retail stores.
Deiondre Khalill Howard pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery and one count of aggravated assault during a hearing in Bibb County Superior Court. He was sentenced to 30 years, 20 of them in prison without the possibility of parole.
If the case had gone to trial, prosecutor Sandra Matson would have presented evidence showing:
Several restaurants, motels and retail stores were robbed in Macon between April 27, 2017, and May 11, 2017. Deputies discovered a small silver car had been used in multiple robberies and tracking the car later led them to Howard.
When questioned by investigators, Howard admitted to participating in nine robberies:
- Ulta Shoes, 1358 Gray Highway, on April 27, 2017
- Subway, 3001 Vineville Ave., on April 28. 2017
- Econo Lodge, 1990 Riverside Drive, on April 29, 2017
- Subway, 630 North Ave., on April 30, 2017
- Red Carpet Inn, 2870 Jeffersonville Road, on May 1, 2017
- Baymont Inn & Suites, 3680 Riverside Drive, on May 8, 2017
- Sally’s Beauty Supply, 1485 Gray Highway, on May 10, 2017
- Family Dollar, 2584 Rocky Creek Road, on May 10, 2017
- Subway, 2630 Emery Highway, on May 11, 2017
A gun discharged during the Red Carpet Inn robbery.
Cases still are pending in Bibb County Superior Court for Howard’s co-defendants, 19-year-old Travon Jason Howard and 20-year-old Terrica Monesha Vinson.
Speaking after the hearing, District Attorney David Cooke said, “Of Macon’s 29 homicides so far this year, three have been the result of an armed robbery. No amount of cash is worth taking a person’s life or trading freedom for life behind bars.”
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Contact: Amy Leigh Womack
478-621-6179 (office)
478-319-2529 (cell)