A St. Louis resident has pleaded guilty to an armed robbery incident at a local store that took place in October 2023. Thirty-four-year-old Divontay Scott admitted to the crime in court on Tuesday, acknowledging his role in the robbery of a Family Dollar store while armed with a shotgun.
Scott faced three felony charges, including robbery, possession and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. During the robbery, Scott reportedly forced an employee to open the cash register, making off with approximately $114. Despite having his face partially covered, Scott was identified by witnesses as a regular customer. Security footage confirmed his presence at the store earlier that day.
Further evidence against Scott included text messages he sent to his partner mentioning the planned robbery, along with a photograph of the cash he had stolen. Police apprehended Scott after he was spotted at another nearby business the same evening.
Scott is set to face sentencing on July 8, with both the U.S. Attorney's Office and his defense lawyer recommending an 11-year prison sentence.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Lake is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative that unites different law enforcement levels and community stakeholders to tackle violent crime and gun violence. PSN aims to enhance community safety and foster trust through strategic law enforcement efforts and support for community-based violence prevention organizations. The program's core principles emphasize strengthening community relationships, prioritizing targeted enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes to ensure effectiveness.
