A Grand Jury has returned federal charges of armed bank robbery against Dante Williams and Iretha Belton, the Peoria pair accused of robbing First Mid Bank and Trust in Galesburg last month.The indictment unsealed Tuesday reads that Williams by “force, violence, and intimidation” took approximately $2,150 of funds that were federally insured.
It also says that Williams “put in jeopardy” the life of another person by assault with a “purple electrical discharge weapon” believed to be to a TASER.
Belton is being charged under accountability, meaning that she will also be liable for Williams’ alleged armed robbery if prosecutors can prove she aided in the planning of the crime.
It was revealed in Knox County Court that Belton has told investigators that she drove Williams from Peoria to Galesburg with the intent of robbing a bank.
Williams was previously convicted of robbing a bank in Peoria in 2007.
Both Williams and Belton are being represented by court-appointed counsel.
They will be back in U.S. District Court for the Central District on Thursday but will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service in the meantime.
