The trial for a man accused of holding up a Sprint Mart, kidnapping and assaulting two employees begins this week.
Autravious Gaston, 36, was arrested in February 2015 after he allegedly robbed the Sprint Mart on Military Road Feb. 11. He has been indicted on two counts each of armed robbery, kidnapping and sexual battery.
According to circuit court documents, Gaston entered the Sprint Mart and stole money after threatening two employees with a pistol. Court documents also state Gaston kidnapped the two employees and sexually assaulted them. The indictments did not specify how much money Gaston took.
The Dispatch does not identify victims of sex crimes.
When Gaston was first arrested, The Dispatch reported he drove at least one of the victims to West Point in a stolen vehicle. With help from Clay County authorities, Columbus police found and arrested Gaston a few hours after the robbery.
Gaston was also indicted on felony taking of a motor vehicle and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, having been convicted for attempted armed robbery in 1999.
The trial was slated to begin Tuesday, though attorneys had not yet chosen a jury when court closed. Judge Lee Howard will oversee the proceedings.
Gaston’s attorney, Steve Wallace, did not return calls from The Dispatch by press time.
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