A Chicago woman who live-streamed her looting escapades on the Magnificent Mile last summer has been sentenced to 17 months in prison. But, after getting the state’s automatic 50% sentence reduction for “good behavior” and credit for time spent on electronic monitoring, Taeshia Rochon walked out of prison on the same day she arrived.
Rochon, 23, fired up her Facebook Live feed as she raided Nordstrom, 55 East Grand, and Sunglass Hut, 520 North Michigan, during widespread looting on August 10, 2020, prosecutors said.
Her first live feed allegedly showed her taking two Canada Goose jackets from Nordstrom. She later posted the footage to a YouTube account that had her name on it, according to prosecutors.
Another video, also posted to Rochon’s Facebook and YouTube accounts, showed her taking inventory from the Sunglass Hut and putting it in the back seat of “her looting car,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said.
One Twitter user was even kind enough to credit Rochon when they Tweeted her video:
Someone who saw the videos tipped off investigators, and cops contacted Rochon, who turned herself in.
Rochon, who was initially charged with multiple counts of burglary and looting, has now pleaded guilty to two counts of looting by an individual. Prosecutors dropped the other charges as part of their deal with Rochon.
Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced her to two concurrent 17-month sentences. That time was offset by the 445 days she spent on electronic monitoring before sentencing and Illinois’ standard 50% sentence reduction.
State records show Rochon arrived at the Logan Correctional Center last Friday, November 5, and she was released the same day. She’ll be on parole until November 5, 2022.
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