Danville man sentenced to 9 years for 2023 armed robbery
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Danville man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for an armed robbery that happened in October of 2023.
Court records show KeShawn Stapleton, 23, was facing five felony counts for crimes including armed robbery and mob action and a misdemeanor count of obstructing identification. On Monday, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors that saw him plead guilty to a Class 1 felony count of armed robbery; the other counts were dismissed.
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Evidence presented in court showed that on Oct. 26, 2023, Stapleton was one of five Black males who approached a person walking to a trash dumpster near Lewis Street. The group held the victim at gunpoint and stole his backpack, which had an Xbox inside, his cell phone and the shoes off the victim's feet. The crime was recorded by a security camera.
As detectives were speaking with the victim, Danville Police received a call about robbery suspects running toward Moore Street. When officers responded to the area, they saw several Black males exiting a car on Moore Street. Stapleton was arrested during this police encounter.
The State's Attorney's Office said Moore was identified as one of the perpetrators based on his clothes; what he was wearing when he was arrested matched the clothes of the suspect who was recorded on camera taking the robbery victim's shoes from his feet. The shoes and the victim's cell phone were subsequently found inside the vehicle Stapleton exited on Moore Street.
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'I commend the Danville Police Department for quickly identifying and apprehending these violent offenders. We are grateful to the victim for coming forward,' State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said in a news release. 'Armed robbery is a dangerous crime that threatens the safety of our entire community. My office remains committed to working with the police to pursue justice and protect victims of violent crime.'
Stapleton was given credit for 592 days he's already served in custody, and his sentence will be served at 50%. Once out of prison, he will spend one year on parole.
Two other people have been charged in connection to the robbery. Alvin Daniels, charged with the same five felony counts as Stapleton, pleaded guilty in February to one of them and was sentenced to five years in prison. Another person, who is a juvenile, has been charged, but the State's Attorney's Office did not go into further detail.
The investigation into the robbery is still ongoing, and people with relevant information are asked to contact law enforcement.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Prosecutors lay ground for racketeering charge Slavik alleged during the June 26 hearing that Combs is "the head of a criminal enterprise" as she walked jurors through racketeering charges against the mogul. She pointed to allegations that Combs physically and sexually abused Ventura Fine and Jane over and over again — and worked with his staff to force the women into "freak offs." Slavik described racketeering as the act of committing a crime as part of a group. "Remember, it's his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him," she said, alleging Combs' staffers "made it their mission" to promote his power and stature. Diddy trial bombshells: What his inner circle said about baby oil, 'freak offs' Was Diddy found not guilty? No, a verdict has not yet been reached in Combs' criminal case. After more than a month of harrowing testimony from several of Combs' associates, the prosecution rested its case on June 24. Meanwhile, Combs' lawyers rested their case in less than half an hour, with the defense opting not to call any witnesses to the stand. Diddy trial is ending, closing arguments underway: What to expect Although the music mogul's alleged abuse is at the center of the trial, Combs told the court he would not be testifying. Closing arguments began Thursday, June 26, and are expected to conclude Friday, June 27. Did Diddy's charges get dropped? No, none of the charges from Combs' federal indictment have been formally dropped. But in a June 24 letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, prosecutors revealed they were withdrawing some of their criminal allegations ahead of closing arguments. U.S. attorneys said they don't want jurors to consider their previous claims that Combs allegedly engaged in racketeering by attempting kidnapping in California and New York, attempting arson in California, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The move was made as part of an effort to "streamline" jury instructions. Despite the tossed allegations, Combs' indictment accused him not just of attempting arson and kidnapping, but also of committing these crimes outright as part of a criminal conspiracy. Is Diddy in jail? The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. When is the Diddy trial over? Subramanian has said he's hopeful proceedings will wrap up by the July 4 holiday, and that schedule is still on track. Jurors will begin deliberating either Friday, June 27, or Monday, June 30. How much time is Diddy facing? If convicted on all counts, the Bad Boy Records founder faces a minimum 15-year prison term and could be sentenced to life behind bars. How many kids does Diddy have? Combs has seven children. He had his first biological son, Justin Combs, 31, with fashion designer and stylist Misa Hylton. The rapper shared four children with longtime girlfriend Kim Porter, including Porter's son Quincy Brown, 34, whom she had with R&B singer-songwriter Al B. Sure! The couple's other children include son Christian "King" Combs, 27, and twin daughters D'Lila and Jessie Combs, 18. Combs has two other daughters: 18-year-old Chance Combs, whom he shares with businesswoman Sarah Chapman; and 2-year-old Love from his relationship with model and cybersecurity specialist Dana Tran. What is Diddy on trial for? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. How to stream the Diddy trial The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
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