Man Admits Armed Robbery of St. Louis 7-Eleven

ST. LOUIS – An Illinois man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Thursday and admitted robbing a St. Louis, Missouri 7-Eleven last year.

Payton Robert Yates, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Yates admitted robbing the 7-Eleven at 5350 Chippewa Street in St. Louis on June 30, 2023. Yates approached the cash register, placed a bag of Hot Fries on the counter and then pulled out a handgun before telling the cashier, “Empty the register.” Yates left with $134.77 and the Hot Fries.

Yates then got into a blue Toyota Tundra parked nearby. Yates’ father had reported the Tundra stolen a few days earlier. A handgun was inside. Yates pawned the gun two days later.

Yates, of Carterville, in Williamson County, Illinois, is scheduled to be sentenced June 4. Both sides are recommending nine years in prison. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torrie Schneider is prosecuting the case.