Sikeston man pleads guilty to stealing from his employer

SIKESTON — A Sikeston man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of stealing from his employer.

Markel Deveyon Hampton, 24/25, entered a guilty plea on June 7 to the class D felony stealing $750 or more, according to online court records. He appeared by video in custody from the Scott County Jail before Circuit Judge Zac Horack.

On Oct. 20, 2023, a Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer was dispatched to Quick Check 2 on East Center Street in Sikeston in reference to an employee stealing, according to the probable cause statement. When the officer arrived, he made contact with the owner who had previously viewed the business’ video surveillance. The owner told the officer the previous night their employee, Hampton, had taken a substantial amount of cash from patrons of the store and put it in his pocket. The probable cause statement said Hampton also let one customer walk out of the store with merchandise and he did not charge him or try to stop him. Hampton never called to report anything stolen from the business. The business owner told the officer Hampton put the cash from three different transactions directly into his pocket, and he also had two occasions where a customer’s card was declined, and Hampton allowed the customer to leave with the merchandise. The total Hampton either kept in cash or let someone leave without paying was $1,008.31. The officer said he viewed the footage the business had and could see Hampton bag the items when the customers paid; he opened and closed the register and did not put anything in it. Hampton could then be seen turning and putting the cash directly in his pocket. Hampton was subsequently arrested.

Following his guilty plea on June 7, Hampton requested a bond reduction and was released on a personal recognizance bond. He was ordered not to have contact with the victim or the victim’s property. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 25 before Horack.