A Danville man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting his involvement in a scheme to swindle a 72-year-old Kentucky man. Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey sentenced Jermaine Butler Monday after Butler pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery.
Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy says that in early 2019, Butler’s partner in the crime – Elijah Green, utilized fictitious Facebook accounts in an effort to swindle individuals. The ruse became violent in February of last year when Green lured the 72-year-old victim from Kentucky to Danville to purchase a saxophone for $4,500. When the victim arrived at a specified location Butler and Green entered the victim’s car, according to Lacy. She says Green and Butler threatened to shoot and kill the Kentucky man, but added fortunately the man was not physically harmed.
A mobile phone which was left at the crime scene was traced by Vermilion County Sheriff’s Police to Butler. When Butler was located by law enforcement he was cooperative and admitted his involvement, according to State’s Attorney Lacy. And in court today (Monday), Butler apologized and said he was ready to accept responsibility for his actions.
Butler will be required to serve at least half of the seven year sentence, and will then be on Mandatory Supervised Release for two years. Co-defendant Elijah Green was sentenced last November to twelve years in prison.
