Demario Lee-Sharrad Shelton, 32, of Three Rivers was sentenced Friday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court for his role in robbing Century Bank & Trust in Three Rivers on Nov. 18, 2019.
As part of a plea agreement, Shelton pled guilty to one count of bank robbery, while two other charges against him — including armed robbery and a habitual offender charge for committing three or more felonies — were dropped. Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman sentenced Shelton to a minimum of 53 months and up to 40 years in prison, consecutive to parole.
Shelton addressed the court Friday prior to sentencing, and apologized for his actions as well as how he treated the clerk he interacted with the day of the robbery.
“I would like you to know I apologize for my behavior, I know that my behavior reflects badly and poorly on my family, as well as myself,” Shelton said via teleconference from the St. Joseph County Jail. “I would like to apologize to the teller, who I put her life at risk. I know I just made some stupid decisions, there was no excuse for it, it was dumb, it was just stupid, and I apologize. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you were in danger or I was going to kill you or anything. So I just wanted to apologize for my actions.”
On Nov. 18, 2019, officers from the Three Rivers Police Department were dispatched for a hold-up alarm at Century Bank & Trust located at 1310 W. Broadway St. The teller who interacted with Shelton that day told police Shelton gave her a note that read “comply and you won’t get hurt.” After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, Shelton left on foot. Officers deployed a K-9 track, which led to a strip mall just to the north, where the track was lost.
What transpired that day ultimately made its way to family members of Shelton via social media. The family contacted the TRPD to ensure Shelton’s safety and that he would be arrested without incident. Three Rivers Det. Sgt. Sam Smallcombe said most of the money stolen was recovered in the process of Shelton’s arrest.
Back in November, Shelton’s family said Demario had dealt with mental health issues in the past, and prior to the robbery had “two recent stints at Lakeland Medical Center” in St. Joseph, Mich. to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-like symptoms, with his last stay ending on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, less than a week before the robbery.
In an interview with Watershed Voice Friday, Smallcombe said he was happy with the case’s outcome.
“We are happy the case is adjudicated and the bank tellers have closure,” Smallcombe said. “We hope Mr. Shelton can receive the treatment he needs, and becomes a productive member of society again.”
Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.
