2009 KFC robber pleads guilty, sentenced to six years in prison
By J.J. Kindred | (jj.kindred@thedailytimes.com)
A man who robbed the manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken in Maryville in 2009 pleaded guilty in Blount County Circuit Court Tuesday. Ronald Eugene Nelson Jr., 40, of Knoxville, was sentenced to six years in prison by Judge Tammy Harrington after making a plea bargain to a Class C felony with his attorney, Ashley Bentley, present.
Nelson and an alleged accomplice, Terry L. Gibson, also of Knoxville, were indicted by a Blount County grand jury in May on the charges of aggravated robbery and facilitation of robbery, respectively.
According to a Maryville Police Department report, on Aug. 17, 2009, the restaurant’s manager, identified as Sara Philapy, was robbed at gunpoint as she was leaving the restaurant, located at 807 Foothills Mall Drive, with a bank deposit bag to make a transaction at a local bank.
She was approached by Nelson in the parking lot behind the business as she was walking to her vehicle.
She said the suspect came from the Dumpster area outside of the restaurant.
Philapy said Nelson pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at her, demanding the bag.
She at first refused, but Nelson threatened to kill her if she did not comply.
Nelson then forcibly took the bag, containing an undisclosed amount of money, and Philapy’s purse, the report said.
Gibson was indicted for his alleged knowledge of the incident, and knowingly furnishing assistance, but it was not for certain what his exact role was.
Nelson also has criminal charges from a Knox County case, and after serving time in the Blount County Detention Facility for the KFC robbery, made a request to be transferred to the Knox County Detention Facility. Harrington said she will attempt to make arrangements.
