Shreveport Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Battery

Willie Lee Rochelle IV, 27, entered his plea before Caddo District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.

Rochelle pleaded guilty as charged to attempted armed robbery and aggravated second degree battery just as jury selection was to commence. The facts of that case are as follows:

In April 2017, Rochelle and an armed accomplice approached a victim outside a house party in the 5600 block of Kent Avenue. Rochelle demanded money and with his accomplice attempted to rob the victim. Their target refused to surrender his money, so Rochelle and his accomplice pistol-whipped the victim, causing injuries to the man's head that required stitches and wound care. Rochelle has a prior 2016 conviction in Caddo Court for simple robbery.

Rochelle also pleaded guilty as charged to separate pending charges, namely battery of a police officer, aggravated second degree battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempted armed robbery and attempted second degree murder.

For these convictions, Judge Mosely imposed the following sentences:

Battery of a police officer, six months in the parish jail, the maximum possible.

Second degree battery, eight years at hard labor, the maximum sentence.

Aggravated second degree battery, 15 years at hard labor on each count, the maximum allowed.

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 20 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, the maximum allowed.

Attempted armed robbery, 40 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Attempted second degree murder, 40 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Rochelle was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Cheyenne Wilson and Jasmine Cooper. He was defended by Harry Johnson, Casey Simpson and Madison Crusan.

The instant case was docket No. 348701