Prosecutors: Man shot at victims, hit one with gun during robbery to steal pain pills

A man has been found guilty of robbing a Covington couple of pain pills in July 2016. Prosecutors said he fired shots at the victims and struck one in the head with a gun.

Walter Williams, 21, of Covington, has been found guilty of robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property and possession of drugs, Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said Friday. 

In July 2016, Sanders said Williams broke into a home in the 2000 block of Greenup Street to rob a couple of pain pills. The couple told police two masked men armed with guns broke into their house, but they recognized Williams by his stature and voice.

During the robbery, shots were fired and one of the men struck the male victim in the head with a gun, prosecutors said. The men fled the scene with a lockbox used by the victims to store their medication.

The female victim said Williams would have known about the pills because one of Williams' relatives drove her to the pharmacy. The relative was on the phone with Williams at the time of the ride, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Covington Police found Williams passed out on the sidewalk, surrounded by loose marijuana and various pills. Officers also recovered a .380 KelTec handgun from Williams' clothing.

"After being awoken by officers, Williams initially denied ownership of the gun, then later claimed it was a family heirloom, only to later say he bought it off an unidentified male in Bellevue. Not surprisingly, the gun was found to be reported stolen," Sanders said. 

Williams was indicted in 2016 on drug and stolen property charges. After the ballistics test results were received, Williams was indicted for robbery and burglary in 2017, Sanders said. 

The trial began on Nov. 27. At the end of the three-day trial, Williams was found guilty of all charges. Sanders said the jury recommended a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Sanders said final sentencing has yet to be scheduled but is likely to take place in January 2019.