Robert Taylor Sentenced to 94 Years in Prison for Armed Standoff

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - On Friday, January 17, 2024, Judge Wendy Horn sentenced 48-year-old Robert Taylor to 94 years in prison following his conviction for a violent armed standoff with law enforcement in April 2022. The sentences include 30 years for each of two counts of Assault First Degree on Law Enforcement, 15 years for each of two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 4 years for Resisting Arrest for a Felony. All sentences will run consecutively.

The charges stem from a tense, hours-long confrontation at Taylor’s residence in Iron Mountain Lake. On April 28, 2022, St. Francois County Sheriff’s Deputies Timothy Harris and Devin Bainbridge attempted to serve Taylor a Jefferson County arrest warrant. Upon approaching the front door, Taylor fired a shotgun through the door’s window, narrowly missing Deputy Bainbridge. As the deputies retreated, Taylor grabbed an SKS semi-automatic rifle and continued firing from within his home, using mounted video surveillance cameras to track the officers' movements.

During the exchange, Deputy Harris sought cover behind a vehicle as bullets struck around him. When Taylor ceased firing, the officers retreated to safety. Deputy Harris later discovered a shrapnel wound to his forehead. Taylor also sustained a gunshot wound to his arm during the altercation.

Taylor’s sentencing follows a three-day jury trial that concluded on October 24, 2024, with guilty verdicts on all charges. St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Blake Dudley personally led the State’s case, presenting testimony from Deputies Harris and Bainbridge, as well as Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Shannon Sitton, who documented the crime scene.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Deputies Harris and Bainbridge gave emotional victim impact statements, describing the traumatic ordeal. Family members of the deputies, St. Francois County Sheriff Jeff Crites, and fellow law enforcement officers attended the hearing in support.

“The brave actions of Deputies Harris and Bainbridge likely saved lives that day,” said Prosecuting Attorney Dudley. “This sentence ensures justice is served and sends a clear message that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated.”