Charges Added for Alleged Co-Conspirator in Knifepoint Robbery

After attempting to flee himself from the chokehold of a man who allegedly put a butterfly knife to his throat and threatened to slit it, Justin Parkinson said he turned around and "saw his fists in my face."

Parkinson testified in Hatboro District Judge Paul Leo's court on Tuesday morning that Carl Sauter, 19, of Hatboro, used his fists to punch Parkinson in the face "at least 10 times" during an alleged knifepoint robbery in June at the Village Green Apartments in Upper Moreland Township.

"I tried escaping while I was getting hit," Parkinson said. "When they left I was on the ground."

During Sauter's preliminary hearing Tuesday, Parkinson said he sustained a "bloody eye," a black eye and a cut on his finger stemming from the alleged meeting with Sauter's co-defendants, Matt Curran, 19, identified as Sauter's long-time friend and neighbor; and Sauter's step-brother, Joseph Grady, 24, of Bensalem.

According to court records, Curran and Grady met up with Parkinson and another man at Village Green Apartments on Surry Lane in Upper Moreland around 1 p.m. on June 9 to smoke marijuana and buy prescription drugs.

But when Curran and Grady allegedly got in the backseat of Parkinson’s car, Curran and Grady, instead of buying 25 Klonopin for the previously agreed upon $100, “suddenly and violently assaulted” the victims within “seconds” of entering the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.

Grady allegedly robbed the other man at knifepoint according to court documents. The man was able to flee the car and called police. 

Sauter, who had already been charged with seven felony and conspiracy charges and three misdemeanor charges, assault and theft charges, following the court hearing, is facing charges mirroring those of his co-defendants. A second criminal conspiracy to commit robbery charge was added. Other charges added Tuesday include recklessly endangering another person, one count of terroristic threats and possessing an instrument of crime.

Sauter, according to court documents, pulled Parkinson out of the car and, along with Curran, punched him in the face and head during the incident. Sauter and Curran then allegedly stole the victim’s wallet, car keys and cigarettes from the car. 

Parkinson, who described the knife blade as feeling "dull," said he felt "threatened" and "scared" during the alleged attack. 

"I just thought they were trying to scare me to get my stuff," Parkinson said in court. "At that point I knew what they were after."

Parkinson, who said he drove the other victim to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for Klonopin prior to the incident with Curran, Grady and Sauter, denied that the intent of the meeting was to sell the prescription drug.

Instead Parkinson said he intended to buy $20 worth of marijuana from Curran, whom he said he had never met before the day of the alleged robbery.

In arguing for reduced charges, Sauter's attorney said his client did not inflict "serious bodily injury" on Parkinson as evidenced by the fact that the victim did not require stitches or have broken bones. He also argued that Sauter did not have a weapon.

The prosecutor said that as a "co-conspirator," Sauter is "responsible for those knives" that Grady and Curran allegedly used during the incident.

Grady is facing seven felony robbery counts, simple assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, possessing an instrument of crime, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. 

Grady is being held at the Montgomery County Correction Facility on $25,000 bail. Curran’s bail was reduced on Thursday to $10,000. Sauter is being held on $75,000 bail.