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PRESS RELEASE, 01/04/2008

BOY SCOUT CHRISTMAS TREE ROBBERY DEFENDANTS INDICTED

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced today the indictment of Nashon Wallace (M/B, 20), Kenneth Hodge (M/B, 19), and David Keeling (M/B, 19), for the December 3, 2007 Aggravated Robbery of the Boy Scouts of America and four civilian victims at a North College Hill Boy Scout Christmas Tree Lot on West Galbraith Road.

In the course of the Aggravated Robbery, the defendants struck a 13 year old Boy Scout who was selling the trees. There was a second young Boy Scout and two adults who were present and are all victims of the Aggravated Robbery. A shotgun was brandished during the theft of proceeds from the sales of Christmas trees.

Each defendant was charged with 5 counts of Aggravated Robbery with gun specifications, one count for the Boy Scouts of America and one count for each of the four civilian victims. Aggravated Robbery is a felony of the first degree and carries a possible sentence of 3 to 10 years in prison for each count. Additionally, the gun specifications bring an additional mandatory prison sentence of 1 or 3 years which must be served prior to and consecutive to the sentence for each Aggravated Robbery count. Each defendant is also charged with 4 counts of Robbery, a felony of the second degree, one count for each of the civilian victims. Keeling and Wallace are also each charged with 1 count of Having a Weapon While Under a Disability, a felony of the third degree.

Keeling and Wallace are facing a maximum of 58 years in prison and Hodge is facing a maximum of 53 years in prison.

Prosecutor Joe Deters commented that, "it is particularly disgusting that these predators would aim a shotgun at young boys and their parents while they sold Christmas trees. The fact that they were victimized while learning the lessons of the Boy Scouts tells you all you need to know about these defendants."