Dezmeion A. Poole, a 24-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on March 17, 2017, in Springfield, Illinois. Dezmeion was found dead in his apartment located in the 2100 block of Watch Avenue, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Born on April 19, 1992, in St. Joseph, Michigan, Dezmeion was raised in Springfield, where he graduated from Springfield Southeast High School. He was known for his athletic prowess in football and baseball. At the time of his death, Dezmeion was working as a truck driver and had plans to move to Minnesota with his girlfriend, Amanda Schroyer, and their two children.
The investigation into Dezmeion's death revealed that he was the victim of a robbery that escalated into a fatal shooting. Moises B. Trujillo, a 27-year-old male from Springfield, was identified as the gunman. Trujillo, along with Antonio L. Ragsdale and Caston M. Rosa, went to Dezmeion's apartment with the intent to steal cannabis. During the robbery, Trujillo shot Dezmeion multiple times, leading to his death. Trujillo was later found guilty of murder and armed robbery and was sentenced to 80 years in prison. His sentence included a firearm enhancement and was to be served consecutively with his sentence for armed robbery.
Antonio L. Ragsdale, another suspect in the case, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He received credit for 1,471 days served and will be on mandatory supervised release for three years after completing his sentence. Caston M. Rosa, the third defendant, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Rosa's sentence also included credit for 1,645 days served while awaiting trial.
The court proceedings highlighted the senseless nature of the crime and the impact it had on Dezmeion's family and community. Dezmeion's girlfriend, Amanda Schroyer, described him as a funny and adventurous person who was a great father and a loyal friend. The sentencing of the perpetrators provided some measure of justice and closure for Dezmeion's family, who had to cope with the loss of a beloved son, partner, and father.
