Ricky Lee Stewart III, 50, and Cheryl Freeman Steward, 50, both of Henderson, were charged in a four count indictment by a federal grand jury announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and John Mehr, Special Agent in Charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The indictment charges Stewart and Steward for their roles in the December 10, 2009 attempted robbery of the Save-A-Lot grocery in Henderson, Tennessee. According to the indictment, Captain Dennis Cagle, a police officer with the Henderson Police Department, responded to the robbery in progress and received injuries resulting his death. Both defendants are charged in Counts One and Two with Interference with Interstate Commerce by Attempted Robbery and the Use of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Additionally, Ricky Stewart is charged separately in Counts Three and Four with Causing the Death of Captain Cagle through the Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence and Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
If convicted of these crimes, Ricky Stewart faces up to Life in Prison or the Death Penalty and Cheryl Steward faces up to Life in Prison.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Henderson Police Department, and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Grinalds, District Attorney General Jerry Woodall and Assistant District Attorney Jody Pickens will be handling the prosecution of this case.
