4 Charged In Robbery, Sexual Assault At Harriet Island
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Three men and one juvenile male are facing charges in an alleged robbery and sexual assault earlier this week at Harriet Island near downtown St. Paul.
Vershone Jaquay Hodges, 20, 19-year-old Devontre Jordan Vann, 18-year-old Deandray Artez Easley and 16-year-old Choncey Stewart were each charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of kidnapping. Prosecutors are seeking for Stewart to be tried as an adult.
According to the charges, the four approached another group of four, aged 17 and 18, parked at Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul at about 11:15 p.m. Monday. The group in the parking lot had stopped there to eat after going to McDonald's. After a brief exchange, Stewart pointed a gun at the group, demanded their belongings and had them lay face down on the pavement.
The compliant states one of the victims said Stewart sexually assaulted both girls.
The four were arrested early Tuesday morning during an attempted robbery at a Holiday gas station on the 200 block of Wabasha Street South. The complaint states Easley, Stewart and Hodges are known gang members.
"This is a disgusting crime, and we as a police department will do everything we can to make sure that these suspects are held accountable," said St. Paul Police Sgt. Mike Ernster.
The incident remains under investigation.