ST. LOUIS, MO  (January 29, 2026) — On Thursday, the Honorable Judge Clinton R. Wright found John Wesley White, Jr., 60, guilty on multiple charges following a bench trial held on January 23, 2026.

The court found White guilty of second-degree assault of a special victim, resisting arrest, and three counts of fourth-degree assault stemming from a violent attack on February 23, 2023, at a grocery store located at the 300 block of N. Kingshighway Boulevard in the City’s Central West End neighborhood.

White confronted a 69-year-old woman in the grocery store parking lot as she attempted to enter her vehicle. When the victim attempted to contact law enforcement, White attacked her, threw her to the ground, and repeatedly struck her in the head. During the assault, White took the victim’s cell phone and continued to strike her as she tried to retrieve it.

White followed the victim into the store and continued to harass and assault her, as well as bystanders and employees. Inside the store, White assaulted two employees, a 29-year-old man and a 62-year-old man, who attempted to intervene.

Law enforcement officers later located White nearby, where he struck an officer and actively resisted arrest. Officers took him into custody after a prolonged struggle.

“This case involves a defenseless, elderly victim who was simply trying to go grocery shopping when she was violently attacked. No one should have to fear for their safety while doing something as basic and necessary as grocery shopping,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

At the time of the offense, White was on parole for second-degree murder out of St. Louis County. He faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2026.

Violent Crime Unit Deputy Supervisor Grant Simon, Assistant Circuit Attorney Kate Cogan, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Isabella Zoog prosecuted the case.

The defendant’s case number is 2322-CR00345-01.