The two Peorians accused of robbing First Mid Bank and Trust in Galesburg with a purple TASER last month pleaded not guilty today in federal court.
47-year-old Dante Williams and 45-year-old Iretha Belton entered their pleas and demanded a jury trial, now set for May 20.
Also on Thursday Williams waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Williams has previously been convicted of robbing a Peoria bank in 2007.
Both defendants were formally indicted by a Grand Jury Tuesday on a single count of armed robbery.
Williams is alleged to have taken $2,150 by intimidation using a “purple electrical discharge weapon” from First Mid Bank and Trust in late February.
Knox County prosecutors have said that Belton drove the getaway van that broke and ended up being left at the East Main Circle K, while both went across the street to Hardee’s.
The van was registered to Belton according to law enforcement testimony.
Belton was granted a continuance and her detention hearing will be held on April 2.
Also, it was signed off further proceedings for Williams and Belton will take place in the Southern District of Iowa, since the Rock Island Federal Courthouse continues to deal with mold infestation.
