Andrews University robbers sentenced

Published 9:08 am Tuesday, May 6, 2014

A pair of Berrien Springs teenagers involved in a string of armed robberies on the campus of Andrews University in March will spend at least 3 1/2 years in prison.

Roy Leon Moore, Jr., 17, and Byron Marselle Talbert, 19, both received minimum sentences of 42 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections from Berrien County Trial Judge Dennis Wiley Monday in Niles.

Roy Moore

Roy Moore

Both pleaded guilty to the charge of assault with intent to rob while armed.

Prosecutor Amy Byrd described the offense as senseless, adding that the teenagers got about $41.

“It was a decision made, I’m not sure out of what… boredom,” she said.

The incidents took place at three separate locations on the Berrien Springs campus March 29-30. Two of the victims received minor injuries. Victims reported seeing a handgun as well as a knife in the possession of the suspects. It was later learned that the gun was a pellet gun.

Talbert said he had never been in trouble before and that he got mixed up in the wrong crowd.

“I appreciate your regret for what happened,” Wiley said. “Clearly you made a big mistake. The bottom line is you could’ve stopped from doing it at any time.”

Moore apologized for his actions and said that he has learned from his mistakes.

Byron Talbert

Byron Talbert

“The three of you engaged in very dangerous behavior,” Wiley said. “All for just a little bit of money. Foolish behavior.”

A third person involved in the crime — Thomas Rogers, 18, of Berrien Springs — was sentenced in April to 42 months.

Also sentenced Monday:

• Charles Mosimbwa, 45, of Niles, was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison on one count of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. According to court documents, Mosimbwa sexually assaulted an underage girl over a period of several years.

He is currently serving a prison sentence for practicing medicine without a license in Niles and committing sexual acts in the process.

The crime for which he was sentenced Monday occurred prior to him being sent to prison.

• James Blackwell, 52, of Berrien Springs, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on the charge of attempted domestic violence as a repeat offender. The incident took place Oct. 16, 2013, in Berrien Springs. Wiley said Blackwell was on parole at the time of the offense and that he has five previous domestic violence charges.

“You need to be taken out of the community,” Wiley said.