Metro-east crime recap: murder charge, tax fraud, ISP sting. Here’s what to know
Here’s a recap of six major crime stories reported in the metro-east this past week, ranging from murder charges and a multiday law enforcement operation to allegations of tax evasion and child grooming.
Here’s a rundown of the key cases:
• Murder charge in Soulard shooting: Jabril L. Olivaria, 24, of East St. Louis was charged with first-degree murder in the April 3 shooting death of Lamarr Box Jr., 21, also of East St. Louis, in St. Louis’ Soulard neighborhood. Detectives found over 50 fired cartridge casings at the scene, and two others were injured in the shooting.
• Father charged in son’s killing: Anthony L. Powe, 49, of Summerfield was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his 31-year-old son, Devonta A. McCray, who was found dead in a vehicle in the 2200 block of Market Avenue in East St. Louis on April 10. A second victim was hospitalized with a gunshot wound.
• Violent crime sting results: An Illinois State Police operation on April 8 and 9 in St. Clair and Madison counties resulted in 20 arrests, 42 criminal charges — including 30 felonies — and at least 12 weapons seized. Similar stings dating back to June 2023 have netted 690 arrests and 326 gun seizures in total.
• Restaurant owner accused of tax fraud: Saran Puribhat, 54, of Belleville, former owner of Zapp Thai Restaurant Inc. in Edwardsville, was charged by the Illinois Attorney General with theft of government property, sales tax evasion, 39 counts of fraudulently filing tax returns and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege he reported false monthly sales totals over four years, resulting in at least $103,607 in unpaid sales tax.
• School employee released pending trial: James L. Williams Jr., a hall monitor at Edwardsville High School, was charged with indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child and grooming after allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to a 16-year-old student. A judge ordered Williams released before trial on conditions including no contact with minors outside his family and no visits to Illinois school grounds.