ST. LOUIS, MO  (February 5, 2026) — On Thursday, John Wesley White, Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a violent grocery store assault and a separate drug trafficking case. White, 60, received 15 years in prison for his convictions related to an assault at a grocery store. White also pled guilty to a separate drug-related offense and received an additional 5-year sentence, bringing his total sentence to 20 years. 

On February 23, 2023, White confronted a 69-year-old woman in the grocery store parking lot in the 300 block of North Kingshighway Boulevard in the City’s Central West End neighborhood as she attempted to enter her vehicle. When the victim tried 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 striking her as she attempted to retrieve it.

White followed the victim into the store, where he continued to harass and assault her, as well as store employees and bystanders. 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. He struck an officer and actively resisted arrest before being taken into custody following a prolonged struggle.

On January 23, 2026, following a bench trial, White was found guilty of second-degree assault of a special victim, resisting arrest, and three counts of fourth-degree assault.

“White is a career violent offender. His actions caused serious physical harm and instilled fear in the community, chaos,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “This sentence brings accountability and removes a dangerous violent offender from our community.”

At the time of the grocery store assault, White was on parole for second-degree murder out of St. Louis County.

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 numbers are 2322-CR00345-01 and 2322-CR01109-01.