Formal charges were filed Wednesday against all six teens arrested by Centralia Police in connection with an attack on a 15-year-old boy late Monday afternoon.
The Marion County State’s Attorney charged the one adult, 18-year-old Keion Dalton of Hickory Ridge Apartments in Centralia, and five juveniles ages 13 to 17 with felony mob action and misdemeanor battery.
In the probable cause statement in Dalton’s hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Bauling said the group exited a vehicle and charged the boy at the intersection of Kell and McKee after one said to ‘get him’. Bauling said the group then ran after the victim, tripping, kicking and hitting him.
A witness called the alleged victim’s grandmother who took him to the Centralia Police Station as the group of teens fled the area. Bauling says the 15-year-old was able to give police a statement identifying those involved in the attack. The alleged victim was then taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment of his injuries.
Judge Mark Stedelin set bond for Dalton at $5,000 after Public Defender Craig Griffin noted he had zero criminal history and was a local resident. Bauling had argued for a $30,000 bond noting the attack had occurred on a public right of way and was a crime of violence. If released on bond, Dalton was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim and witnesses. He indicated he would hire his own attorney.
Later Wednesday afternoon in juvenile court, the five juveniles were also formally charged with mob action and misdemeanor battery. Two were ordered detained while the other three were released to a parent with the understanding they would be on home confinement and not allowed to contact the victim or witnesses.
Centralia Police indicated those arrested were part of a local gang known as CBN, but police have not indicated if the alleged beating was a gang activity.
