A 20-year-old Peoria man will spend 15 years in prison for his role in a 2024 foiled robbery arranged through Facebook Marketplace that resulted in the death of an accomplice.
Keshawn Williams received his sentence Wednesday during a hearing before Peoria County Judge Stephen Kouri. Williams, who pleaded guilty to armed robbery in July, is the fifth and final defendant sentenced in connection with the crime.
Prosecutors had sought a 21-year incarceration term, the maximum allowed under their plea agreement with Williams. Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Gast argued that Williams and his co-defendants were armed and lying in wait when they ambushed two individuals who came to Peoria to purchase a vehicle.
The purchasers from out of state were directed to an alley where the defendants were waiting. One of the them, a legal gun owner, exchanged gunfire with the defendants, killing 18-year-old Marcus Whitehead of Bloomington.
Accomplices Jalyn Branscumb, Sontarrius Williams, Jonathan Williams and Tanarius Kingcade also pled guilty to armed robbery. They received sentences ranging from 8 to 28 years in prison.
