Forrest D. Russell Jr., 46, of Arnold, a persistent offender, has been found guilty of seven felonies for burglarizing a home in the 1400 block of Bald Eagle Road in Wildwood, tying up the woman who lived there and stealing cash and other items from her, court records show.
A jury found him guilty May 12, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 6 in front of St. Louis County Div. 21 Circuit Judge Nancy Watkins.
The victim told authorities that on Dec. 20, 2014, she woke to find Russell, armed with a handgun, standing over her bed. He tied up the woman and kept her confined for a “substantial” amount of time, according to court papers.
Russell, formerly of Dittmer, already was a convicted felon and was not supposed to have a gun, the report said.
He threatened the woman with the gun and forcibly stole cash from her, as well as other items from the home, according to the report.
The victim eventually was able to escape and called authorities, but by the time they arrived on the scene, Russell had fled, leaving behind the gun, the report said.
A truck that was registered to Russell was found near the scene, and inside were multiple items that belonged to the victim, according to the report.
After a four-day trial, a jury found Russell guilty of one count of first-degree robbery, a class A felony; one count of first-degree burglary and one count of kidnapping, both class B felonies; one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, a class C felony; and three counts of armed criminal action, all unclassified felonies.
The class A felony is punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison; the class B felonies each are punishable by five to 15 years in prison; the class C felony carries a penalty up to seven years in prison; and the armed criminal action charges each carry a minimum three-year sentence.
Russell currently is facing second-degree burglary and third-degree assault charges stemming from a September 2015 incident in Jefferson County. A criminal setting hearing in that case is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 14 in front of Jefferson County Div. 11 Associate Circuit Judge Brenda Stacey.
He previously was convicted of felony first-degree robbery and armed criminal action tied to a December 1991 incident in St. Louis County; to two counts of felony first-degree robbery connected to a February 1992 incident in St. Louis County; and to nine counts of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer stemming from a September 2006 incident in Jefferson County.