Drayton
MONTICELLO – A Sullivan County Court jury on Wednesday found a Monticello man guilty of robbery and conspiracy, both as felonies, in connection with a nighttime robbery in the Village of Monticello last January 7.
The jury acquitted Richard Drayton, 25, on one count of robbery and conspiracy.
The crime occurred at the Shaker Heights housing complex where Drayton pulled a weapon, which appeared to be a firearm, and threatened the victim, while his brother, Frank Drayton and he, went through the man’s pockets, stealing cash and a cell phone.
The gun turned out to be a starter pistol.
The prosecution used DNA found on clothing Drayton wore during the robbery and on a pistol magazine found after he eluded police in a foot pursuit.
Frank Drayton was also convicted of several robbery and conspiracy charges by a separate jury in July and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.
Richard Drayton will be sentenced on January 23, 2017. He also previously pled guilty to two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance for selling heroin and cocaine after an investigation by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
District Attorney James Farrell said under terms of a plea agreement, Drayton faces an additional 10 years in prison for the drug sales. He faces up to 15 years on the robbery and four years on the conspiracy conviction.
