Felon enters not guilty plea in robbery

A convicted felon and gang member pleaded not guilty Wednesday to several felony charges, including robbery and kidnapping, after he was charged with helping his girlfriend get money to pay for her drug-addicted mother’s rent.

Robert L. Hensley, 21, appeared Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark. He pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree robbery, kidnapping and burglary and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery.

The charges stem from a confrontation Dec. 17 between Hensley and a man who had lent $200 to 18-year-old Breeanna Sims. Her mother, 34-year-old Alisson D. Taylor, told police that she was addicted to hydrocodone and needed money to pay rent.

Taylor said she devised a plan to lure the victim into a car where they locked the doors and had Hensley beat the male victim unconscious. They later drove the victim to his apartment, where they forced their way in and took $600.

Hensley’s trial is set for April 5. Charges against Sims and Taylor are pending.