Pair of soldiers charged with armed robbery

PALMER — Two Fort Richardson soldiers made their first appearance in court Friday, charged with armed robbery, burglary and extortion.

John Martin, 19, and Murray Stewart, 21, were arrested Thursday.

According to Alaska State Trooper Spokeswoman Megan Peters, troopers allege, “they went in through the front door and attempted to collect money from the occupants of a residence.”

Before Magistrate David Zwink on Friday, neither were required to enter pleas. Both were dressed in yellow prison scrubs and offered brief answers to Zwink’s questions — “Yes sir,” “No sir.”

Both had their cases assigned to the public defender’s office, though Zwink said that would likely change.

“The public defender’s office will decide which one of you they’re going to represent,” Zwink said.

He told both men that the burglary and extortion charges are Class B Felonies, each carrying a possible prison sentence of 10 years and fines of $100,000. The robbery charge is a Class A felony, carrying a possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Zwink also tweaked their bail amounts. Both were originally held on $10,000 bail.

“An A and two B’s, firearms, the bail’s probably too low. Should be $25,000,” Zwink said.

He also mentioned that there were “threats of future violence” alleged in the police complaint against the two men.

Both are being held at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility.

Peters said troopers worked closely with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

“It was also discovered that Martin had an outstanding warrant from his home state of Delaware for similar crimes,” she said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.