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‘Lookout’ for armed robbery gets 6 years in prison

Judge denies first offender status, so it’ll stay on his record

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

A Clayton County teen pled guilty Thursday to his role in the armed robbery of the Jackson General Store in east Fayette on June 1, 2003.

Warren Devale Balam Jr., 18, of 11941 Harbour Town Parkway, Jonesboro, was sentenced to six years in prison by Superior Court Judge Christopher C. Edwards, who also ordered that he serve four years on probation following the prison sentence.

Balam was originally charged with armed robbery but pled to a lesser charge of criminal attempt to commit armed robbery. Edwards denied a request from Balam’s attorney for first offender status, which would have wiped the crime off his record if he met all the requirements of his sentence.

Edwards noted that Balam was getting a good deal with the reduced charge offered by prosecutors.

In court documents, prosecutors alleged that Balam wore a mask when he entered the store and served as the lookout for Justin Ushery, 16, who police said used a knife during the robbery and forced the two victims around in the store.

The two, along with Daniel Jerome Price, 20, got away with $500 in cash, lottery tickets and Philly Blunt cigars, according to warrants for Balam’s arrest. Police said Price, of 11728 Spring Lake Way, Fayetteville, drove Balam and Ushery to the store, was sentenced in March by Superior Court Judge Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr. to seven years in prison on the same charge Balam pled to: criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

No one was hurt during the incident, noted Chief Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt. He also added that although the defendants may not be to blame, after this incident the store was robbed several times.

Balam’s attorney said his client was caught by police after the group tried to cash the lottery tickets they had stolen at a store in Atlanta. Edwards noted that “no one” accused Balam or the other two suspects of executing a smart crime, drawing a few chuckles from courtroom observers in attendance.