TEXARKANA, Texas - A man who unsuccessfully attempted to rob a local garden store at gunpoint last year was sentenced Monday to 35 years in prison as part of a plea agreement.
Brandon Lee Staggs, 26, appeared Monday afternoon with Texarkana lawyer Josh Potter before 5th District Judge Bill Miller. Staggs entered a plea of guilty to aggravated robbery stemming from a botched holdup Nov. 25 at Ellis Pottery's now former Summerhill Road location.
Staggs tried to rob the store with a shotgun shortly after its 8 p.m. closing while his girlfriend and co-defendant, Toni Works, waited for him in a car nearby, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Staggs smelled of alcohol when Texarkana, Texas, police officers arrived at Ellis Pottery. Two store employees had been sitting in the manager's office when Staggs, armed with a shotgun, walked through an unlocked rear dock entry. The employees tried to lock themselves into the office area, but Staggs used the shotgun's stock to compromise the door.
While Staggs aimed the shotgun at his face, one of the men gave Staggs several dollars and offered to get him more from a safe at the front of the store. One employee, who has a concealed-carry handgun license, managed to get his weapon before Staggs entered the office but did not have time to load it.
While Staggs was briefly distracted, employees allegedly grabbed the shotgun and wrestled with Staggs. Two rounds were discharged from the employee's handgun during the scuffle, but none of the men were struck. When police arrived, one store employee opened a door for the officers while the other continued to struggle with Staggs.
The officers were able to quickly take Staggs into custody and arrested Works in her car a short time later outside the store. Works is currently free on a personal recognizance bond.
A charge of escape which Staggs racked up while being held in the Bi-State Justice Building jail remains pending. Staggs allegedly was caught chipping away at a wall in a shower in the jail in hopes of finding a path to freedom.
Staggs will remain in the Bowie County jail until he is transported to a unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter prosecuted the case.