Armed Standoff Ends in 18-Year Prison Sentence for Repeat Offender

June 2, 2025

ST. LOUIS, MO (June 2, 2025) — William Gourley, 44, was sentenced Monday to 18 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to three counts of second-degree kidnapping and three counts of armed criminal action for his role in a hostage situation that shutdown much of the City’s Downtown on January 24, 2024.

Gourley held three family members, including two children, in a hotel room in the 500 block of South 4th Street for more than 10 hours while armed with a handgun. Police negotiated with him throughout the day, ultimately securing the safe release of all individuals and recovering a loaded firearm from the room.

At the time of the incident, Gourley was out on bond for a prior domestic violence case. He has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for robbery, felonious restraint, armed criminal action, unlawful restraint, possession of a controlled substance, and domestic battery.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Grant Simon prosecuted the case.

“The defendant engaged in deliberate and dangerous conduct that created a high-risk situation that disrupted the heart of our city and endangered lives,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “This outcome reflects our office’s commitment to holding violent domestic abusers accountable.”

Case Number: 2422-CR00224-01.

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

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ST. LOUIS, MO (October 16, 2025) — A judge sentenced Jeffrey Leslie, 47, to 25 years in prison on Thursday for his role in a botched robbery and shooting that left an accomplice, 35-year-old Alonzo Verzell Jones, dead on May 6, 2023, in the 1500 block of Destrehan Street, in the City’s Hyde Park neighborhood. A St. Louis jury convicted Leslie in February of second-degree felony murder, first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, and attempted robbery. Evidence at trial showed that Leslie, along with accomplices Izel Nash and Jones, ambushed and attempted to rob the victim in the parking lot of an apartment complex, after waiting for the victim to return home. After the ambush was sprung, the victim defended himself, exchanging gunfire with Nash and Jones. Jones died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators determined that after Jones was shot, Leslie and Nash tried to retrieve his body, took his firearm, and fled the scene in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The victim of the attempted robbery suffered a nonfatal gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital by a family member. “This case underscores the devastating impact of reckless decisions and violent actions,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “While no sentence can undo the harm that was done, it is essential that those who inflict such violence face significant consequences. Our office will continue to seek accountability on behalf of victims and their families.” Leslie has prior convictions for drug and weapons offenses and will serve his 25-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Adam Field and Assistant Circuit Attorney Andrew Costello prosecuted the case. Leslie’s case number is 2322-CR01266-01. Nash, 31, pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2024, to second-degree murder and received an 18-year sentence. His case number is 2322-CR01267-01.

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October 11, 2025

ST. LOUIS, MO (October 10, 2025) — Monte Henderson, 23, of Kirkwood, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for driving recklessly and causing a 2024 Valentine’s Day crash in downtown St. Louis that killed a mother and daughter who were in town to attend a concert. Henderson drove a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on Olive Street at more than 70 miles per hour, ran multiple red lights, and struck a mother and daughter in a crosswalk. The crash killed Laticha Liz Bracero, 42, and her daughter, Alyssa Angel Cordova, 21, who were returning to their hotel after attending a concert. Henderson’s reckless driving caused the crash at the intersection of Olive Street and North 18th Street. Surveillance footage from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center showed Henderson running several red lights and weaving around moving cars before the impact. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department retrieved data from the Jeep’s airbag control module that showed the vehicle traveling 74 miles per hour when it entered the intersection. Henderson pled guilty on July 8, 2025, to two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of armed criminal action. He entered an open plea, allowing the court to decide his sentence. “Reckless driving destroys lives. At 70 miles per hour, a car becomes a weapon, and the impact reaches far beyond the crash itself. Nothing can make this right, but this sentence hopefully delivers some solace to the loved ones of Laticha Bracero and Alyssa Cordova,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “Two families are grieving today, one for the loss of a mother and daughter and another for the loss of a young man’s future. This case makes clear that we will aggressively prosecute those who choose to drive recklessly and imperil members of our community.” Tanja Engelhardt, Homicide Unit Chief; Adam Field, Violent Crime Unit Supervisor; and Carolyn Chkautovich, Homicide Unit Deputy Chief, prosecuted the case. The defendant’s case number is 2422-CR00434-01 .