The Age on Crime

 Posted on August 30, 2013 in Theft

Late last year, Clark Merrefield from The Daily Beast reported on a minor who committed a crime, was sentenced in court as an adult, and brought out concerns about what was the proper age to begin charging children as adults.

After he was found guilty of robbing two local businesses, Sean Shevlino, now 22, was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

In 2006, when Shevlino was 16 years old, he robbed a Piggly Wiggly. His friend’s older brother, who was an employee of the southern chain at the time, told him how easy it would be to rob the store.

Sean’s mother, April, told The Daily Beast that although his father and herself were providing a positive, college-bound life for Sean and his brothers, Seamus and Alex, when Sean turned 15, he became very angry and began to act out.

Sean said that his friends thought he was crazy when he told them about his idea to rob the Piggly Wiggly, but once he got away with money, they quickly changed their minds.

He wanted the money to repay his friends for allowing him to stay at their houses, but once they got it, they wanted toget enough money to get their own apartment. Sean had every intention of completing school, but doing so outside of his family home.

Part two was planned for the Food Lion, which was much larger than the Piggly Wiggly. Along with more money, however, comes more protection, so one of Sean’s friends suggested toy guns.

When the plan was finally in action, Sean admitted that he did not really think he was going to go through with it, but he felt he had no choice.

After he pulled out his pellet gun, there was no turning around, and he was sentenced as an adult for 10 years.

If your child has been charged with a crime, contact a great criminal attorney to be sure that he or she is sentenced properly as a minor. Attorney Chris Cosley can help you today in Arlington Heights, IL.