Burton pleads guilty to felonies

Sunday, April 8, 2007

by Michael Glover

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- A 26-year-old Fort Scott man pleaded guilty on Thursday to two felony counts of conspiracy to commit robbery stemming from a robbery against two men last July.

Moses L. Burton faces a maximum sentence of five years and three months on the two charges in which he pleaded guilty. The minimum punishment is one year and eight months in jail, according to court documents. The fine on both counts will not exceed $100,000.

According to the plea agreement, the sentences may run consecutively that could result in Burton receiving probation, depending on whatever criminal history he might have. It will be researched during a presentence investigation prior to the sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

The Bourbon County Attorney's Office filed two counts of aggravated robbery against Burton in September. The plea reduced those charges to conspiracy to commit robbery, a less-severe felony than aggravated robbery.

In the early morning hours on July 27, Burton cornered Dakota Cox, then 22, Fort Scott, beat him up and told him to empty his pockets. Burton stole a pack of cigarettes, according to Fort Scott Police. Cox was uninjured and no weapons were used.

About an hour later, while patrolling an area near north National Avenue and Elm Street, officers talked to Michael D. Long, then 43. He told police that as he was walking in the area, two people beat him up and stole his wallet containing $2. One of the suspects turned out to be Burton.

Burton is currently in custody at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center on $1,000 bond, which was reduced from $25,000 during the plea hearing.

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