As jury selection was about to begin this morning, defendant Karl Minott, made a plea straight to the court in Charlotte County, of no contest, to one count of Armed Robbery with a
Firearm While Wearing Identity Concealment Device. The Honorable Judge Scott Cupp accepted the plea. Each defendant has a right to do an open plea to the court and not have a jury trial. This is not a plea agreement. Minott is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4th.
The crime happened on April 6, 2020, at a grocery store on Rotunda West. The defendant tried to buy a lottery ticket but did not have cash. As he was exiting the store, he confronted a customer in the wine aisle, while wearing a paper towel as a mask. He told her to give him her money. She thought he was joking, so did not comply. He then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim. She gave him all of her cash, about $50. The defendant then walked out of the store and went home.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate. The crime was caught on the store’s surveillance camera and a store employee recognized the defendant and was able to identify him.
Minott was arrested on April 10th, just outside of his apartment. During a police interview, he admitted to committing the crime.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Patterson prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office