Ill. man pleads guilty to KFC robbery charges

An Illinois man pleaded guilty to charges of trying to rob a Cape Girardeau KFC at knifepoint last year.

Charles W. Williams, 18, of Thebes, Ill., entered his guilty pleas Tuesday to felony attempted robbery, felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor third-degree assault.

On the morning of Nov. 2, Williams entered the restaurant at 2101 William St., grabbed a female employee and held a knife to her that slightly punctured her throat, Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said.

Williams threatened to kill the employee if he was not given any money. When a second employee struggled with Williams and broke his knife, the defendant began punching her about her face and head, Swingle said.

A third employee arrived to help and chased Williams from the store, and he was arrested several minutes later.

In exchange for his guilty plea, an armed criminal action and resisting arrest charge were dropped, according to Swingle.

Prosecuting attorneys will ask for a 10-year sentence when Williams is sentenced June 13, Swingle said. The defendant could receive as much as 23 years in prison.