Cape Girardeau man sentenced to prison for robbing elderly neighbor

Thursday, March 31, 2011

A 35-year-old Cape Girardeau man was denied placement in a drug treatment program and sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for a June robbery. Circuit Court Judge Benjamin F. Lewis said Teen Challenge was not appropriate for the violent crime committed by Steven McMeans. McMeans pleaded guilty to felony robbery in February, claiming he'd been using cocaine at the time of incident. McMeans entered the home of his 83-year-old neighbor and took $300 in cash from him, but not before threatening to stab him with a screwdriver. At Monday's sentencing, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester said McMeans had worn a pillowcase over his head as a mask but that the victim still recognized him. McMeans will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence.

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