Russell Sentenced to Life in Prison for Shooting Monticello Fareway Employee

An East Dubuque man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a Fareway worker in Monticello last fall.

Nathan Russell was convicted of First Degree Murder after pleading guilty during a plea hearing in Jones County District Court on Tuesday. He had originally pleaded not guilty in December. He had planned to use intoxication as his defense during trial, which was set for August 6th in Jones County.

Monticello Police say on the morning of November 7th, Russell shot Aaron McAtee near the loading dock outside of the Monticello Fareway store in what appeared to have been a random act of violence.

McAtee died from his injuries. 

Russell was spotted two hours later in Hopkinton after two citizens noticed a suspicious vehicle. He was shot by a Delaware County deputy after failing to comply with orders and taken into custody.

The Court heard several victim impact statements at Tuesday’s hearing.

Russell will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole and must pay $150,000 restitution to the victim’s family.