Suspect pleads guilty in home invasion case

9/16/2008

Christine Boulle watched in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday as the second of three Maryland men who barged into her Lewis Avenue home April 20 and duct-taped the occupants pleaded guilty to three felony charges.

Julius Andrews, 25, pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and kidnapping.

He admitted to donning a bandanna over his face, carrying a gun, and along with co-defendants Jeremy Yates, 23, and Terrell Edwards, 23, demanding drugs and money.

They found no drugs and left with only $55.

Mrs. Boulle said yesterday that the three men and another accomplice, Wendell Riley, were each known to her family through her husband s involvement in the music industry. She said her family s home was targeted because her husband is a recording artist and that drugs are mentioned in his songs.

My husband raps about what others rap about drugs, money, cars, said Mrs. Boulle of her husband, Robert, whose stage name is Sixx Digit.

Because if he rapped about his wife, his stepchildren, and his grandchildren, nobody would buy it.

Authorities said Yates, Andrews, and Mr. Edwards invaded the home while Mr. and Mrs. Boulle were away. They bound, gagged, and threatened the five occupants of the house, who ranged in age from 3 to 20 years old.

One of the victims was able to escape out a back door when the men went upstairs and ran to a neighbor s house for help. Police arrived within minutes and saw the suspects inside. They were each arrested shortly after.

The fourth suspect, Riley, who is a longtime friend of the family, is accused of orchestrating the crime. He recently was arrested in Maryland, but released on bond and has since eluded authorities, Mrs. Boulle said.

The four men were each charged in Lucas County with two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of aggravated robbery, and three counts of kidnapping, each with gun specifications.

Yesterday, Andrews signed a three-page plea agreement as part of the deal with prosecutors. He faces 30 years in prison when sentenced Oct. 8 by Judge James Jensen.

Me and my two co-defendants broke into the home and tied the victims up looking for drugs and money, Andrews told Judge Jensen yesterday. He then admitted to using a gun to threaten the occupants of the house.

County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Loisel added that Andrews duct taped Mrs. Boulle s 20-year-old daughter, pushed her to the ground, and demanded money. Mr. Loisel said Andrews was arrested by police at a nearby gas station.

In a separate agreement Aug. 29, Yates pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated robbery and kidnapping, one including a firearm specification. He faces 41 years in prison when sentenced Oct. 3.

The remaining charges and the gun specifications against both Yates and Andrews will be dismissed when they are sentenced.

Mr. Edwards will return to court Sept. 24 and has an Oct. 1 trial date set.

Mrs. Boulle said yesterday that her family felt betrayed by the four men. She said Riley had been a friend of the family for the last five years who had been at the family s home just weeks earlier with Yates for Sunday dinner.

They were friends of ours, she said, adding that she hopes Riley will be returned to Toledo soon to face the eight felony counts.

Contact Erica Blake at:eblake@theblade.comor 419-213-2134.