Man gets 50 years for armed robbery

by Jazz Clark
Last year, David Allen Lewis ran into Dollar General Store brandishing a handgun and filled a yellow plastic bag with cash.

Now, Lewis has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in December to the felony charge of armed robbery. Charges of wanton endangerment and obstructing an officer in the case were dropped.

Armed robbery carries a minimum of no less than 10 years in prison, but has no maximum.

March 2012 robbery
On the evening of March 28, 2012, cashier Will Collins was minding the register at Dollar General store when a gray-haired man, later identified as David Lewis, came in and pointed a black pistol at his head.

“Put the money in the bag,” Lewis said. When Collins obliged, Lewis walked out the door warning Collins not to walk outside, according to police reports.

Police later found Lewis fleeing the scene through Greenway Cemetery. Sheriff Vince Shambaugh chased him down on foot and made the arrest.

Surveillance tapes showed Lewis and he was identified by the cashier and other employees.

The 50-year prison sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge Michael Lorensen at a hearing on February 11.

Those present said Lewis displayed an attitude with Judge Lorensen and acted like he didn’t care when receiving his sentence. When given the option to speak before sentencing, Lewis remained silent.

Sexual abuse charges, too

Lewis also faces trial for multiple counts of the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in late 2011.

Indictments were returned by last month’s Morgan County Grand Jury charging him with three counts of first degree sexual abuse and three counts of sexual abuse by a custodian.