A Clayton County teen pled guilty Thursday to his role in the armed robbery

of the Jackson General Store in east Fayette on June 1, 2003.

Warren Devale Balam Jr., 18, of 11941 Harbour Town Parkway, Jonesboro, was

sentenced to six years in prison by Superior Court Judge Christopher C. Edwards,

who also ordered that he serve four years on probation following the prison

sentence.

Balam was originally charged with armed robbery but pled to a lesser charge

of criminal attempt to commit armed robbery. Edwards denied a request from

Balam's attorney for first offender status, which would have wiped the

crime off his record if he met all the requirements of his sentence.

Edwards noted that Balam was getting a good deal with the reduced charge

offered by prosecutors.

In court documents, prosecutors alleged that Balam wore a mask when he entered

the store and served as the lookout for Justin Ushery, 16, who police said

used a knife during the robbery and forced the two victims around in the

store.

The two, along with Daniel Jerome Price, 20, got away with $500 in cash,

lottery tickets and Philly Blunt cigars, according to warrants for Balam's

arrest. Police said Price, of 11728 Spring Lake Way, Fayetteville, drove

Balam and Ushery to the store, was sentenced in March by Superior Court Judge

Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr. to seven years in prison on the same charge Balam

pled to: criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

No one was hurt during the incident, noted Chief Assistant District Attorney

Dan Hiatt. He also added that although the defendants may not be to blame,

after this incident the store was robbed several times.

Balam's attorney said his client was caught by police after the group

tried to cash the lottery tickets they had stolen at a store in Atlanta.

Edwards noted that "no one" accused Balam or the other two suspects

of executing a smart crime, drawing a few chuckles from courtroom observers

in attendance.