Men charged in teen’s beating, robbery

By Shawn McGrath, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

January 07, 2009 09:58 pm

— ANDERSON — Two Anderson men have been arrested for their alleged roles in the armed robbery and pistol-whipping of a 15-year-old boy in November.
Anderson police arrested Raymond R. Johnson, 19, on Monday and De’erik M. Hall, 18, on Tuesday for allegedly robbing the teen on Nov. 23 near the former Greenbriar Elementary School, 2001 Ashbourne Road.
Prosecutors charged Johnson with armed robbery, battery with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm and carrying a handgun without a license. The most serious charge carries a sentencing range of six to 20 years in prison. Johnson was being held on $20,000 bond late Wednesday.
Hall made an initial court appearance Wednesday, but hadn’t been charged. Magistrate Stephen Clase approved a request from prosecutors for an extra three days to consider which formal counts, if any, he should face.
Hall was arrested on suspicion of aiding armed robbery, receiving stolen property and possession of handgun. He has since posted 10 percent of his $20,000 and been released, jail officials said late Wednesday. He could not be reached for comment.
According to court documents:
Hall arranged for the teen to meet with him and Johnson and a third person near Greenbriar. While the 15-year-old was talking to Hall, Johnson pulled out a .45-caliber handgun, pointed it at the boy’s head and demanded his money.
The boy began walking away, but Johnson hit him in the back of the head with the gun. The teen dropped to the ground, and Johnson stole about $100, his cell phone and his Nike shoes, valued at $150.
During police questioning, Johnson admitted to hitting the boy with the gun and taking his phone and shoes. He denied taking money. Johnson claimed he was upset because the boy and one of his friends stole his car the night before.
Johnson told investigators he got the gun from Hall. He also said he gave the shoes to Hall because they did not fit him.
The teen eventually got his phone back from Johnson through a friend, who is not named in the court papers. Police suspect Johnson of shooting that other person, also on Nov. 23. The bullet grazed the person’s shoulder, but he didn’t initially report it to police. A few days later, however, the wound became infected, and he went to a city hospital. Hospital officials reported the shooting to police, but the teen’s friend has not cooperated with investigators.