STEPHEN CASILLO SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN ARMED ROBBERY CASE

Stephen Casillo, 47, of Townville, SC pled guilty in Anderson County General Sessions Court before the Honorable Cordell Maddox. Judge Maddox sentenced Casillo to 20 years in prison for a spree of armed robberies he had committed between November 10, 2005, and March 6, 2006.

During the robberies, Casillo used a handmade “gun” that appeared to witnesses to be a small shotgun. Aside from the use of a gun, Casillo also used what appeared to be bombs to scare witnesses into giving up their money and to keep them from calling the police. Casillo managed to evade capture until he robbed Lakeside ABC Party Shop on Hwy 24 for a second time. Following a police chase, Casillo was arrested at his home in Townville. The defendant subsequently gave statements admitting to the charges.