Latest news with #Ruger5.7
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Judge: Sterling teen accused in July 2024 double shooting to be transferred to Whiteside County Jail
Apr. 3—MORRISON — A Sterling teenager charged with two counts of attempted murder will be transferred next month from the juvenile detention center where he currently is being held to the Whiteside County Jail. Michael W.T. Bennett Jr. will be moved from the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles to the Whiteside County Jail in Morrison on May 17, the day he turns 18. He will continue to remain detained based on a ruling Thursday, April 3, by Whiteside County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Rangel-Kelly. Rangel-Kelly made that decision after Whiteside County Public Defender Dana McCormick requested Bennett be released on authorized home detention. Rangel-Kelly also denied his release during a hearing last week. Bennett's jury trial is tentatively set for June 17, with a pretrial conference scheduled for May 28. Bennett was charged in September in adult court with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count each of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm in a July shooting that injured two teens, according to Whiteside County court documents. One count of use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense was added to the list of charges in December. Bennett has pleaded not guilty to the charges. [ ] The shooting happened about 6 p.m. July 23 in the area of 13th Avenue and East Fifth Street in Sterling. A 17-year-old boy was shot in the head, and a 14-year-old boy was struck in the leg, according to court documents. Officers said the two injured teens were passengers in a vehicle that was fired upon, resulting in the vehicle colliding with a utility pole. The occupants of the two vehicles — the one from where police said the gun was fired and the other carrying the injured boys — are acquaintances, according to a Sterling Police Department news release issued shortly after the shooting. Sterling police announced Sept. 11 that a juvenile taken into custody Sept. 9 had been charged with one count each of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. The additional charges naming Bennett were filed Sept. 26. Charging documents indicate all of the charges could be tried in adult court because of the two charges that allege Bennett committed a battery with a firearm by shooting one victim in the head and the other in the leg. He is accused of gaining possession of the firearm — a Ruger 5.7 — the previous day, and knew that it was a stolen gun, according to court documents. The one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm accuses him of shooting the Ruger within 1,000 feet of Lincoln Elementary School at 1501 E. Sixth St. The attempted murder and aggravated battery charges are class X felonies that upon conviction carry possible enhanced prison sentences of 25 years to life; 85% of the sentence would have to be served.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tacoma man involved in Seattle mass shooting pleads guilty to gun, drug charges
The Brief A Tacoma man with a lengthy criminal history pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges on Friday. Marquise Tolbert, 29, was previously acquitted in a deadly downtown Seattle mass shooting in 2020. TACOMA, Wash. - A Tacoma man with a lengthy criminal history, including being involved in a deadly downtown Seattle mass shooting in 2020, pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges on Friday. Marquise Tolbert, 29, is set to be sentenced for drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession later this year. The backstory Tolbert was arrested in June 2023 following a multi-agency operation involving the FBI, DEA and Seattle police. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, investigators who were tracking a drug trafficking organization heard Tolbert on a wiretap discussing a shootout in Federal Way. He allegedly spoke about purchasing a Ruger 5.7 pistol from another member of the group. Law enforcement surveilled Tolbert and followed him home, later arresting him and securing the firearm. Tolbert is prohibited from owning guns due to a September 2022 conviction in King County for illegal possession of a firearm. Investigators also determined that Tolbert was distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, that were being shipped from Arizona to Washington state. Illegal firearms possession is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and drug distribution is punishable by up to 20 years. Prosecutors will recommend no more than seven years for both counts, though the actual sentence will be determined by a judge in June 2025. Tolbert was previously charged and acquitted in a 2020 downtown Seattle mass shooting that happened at 3rd Avenue and Pine Street. One woman was killed, and seven others were injured in the gang shootout. Tolbert was acquitted of murder and assault charges, as it was argued he was not the first one to fire in the gun battle. However, he was convicted of illegal firearms possession. The Source Information in this story is from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington. Fire destroys, damages multiple Cybertrucks in Seattle lot Family wants justice years after Graham, WA man's death Bryan Kohberger defense ramps up legal maneuvers in bid to keep Idaho murders suspect off death row Major TSA change to shorten airport security wait times, DHS says: What to know Seattle Seahawks trade DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh Steelers To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
