WASHINGTON COUNTY – Two Belleville men are being held in the Washington County Jail on charges of First Degree Murder in connection with the death of a 44-year-old East St. Louis man whose body was discovered last week in rural Washington County.

According to court records, 44-year-old Kevin Michael Loucks and 57-year-old Milton Earl Robinson have been formally charged in Washington County Court with three counts each First Degree Murder for the death of Montez Pearson.

The body of a black man was discovered around 8:44 p.m. July 19, near Lunte Creek Road in rural Nashville. Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services responded to the location and ultimately identified as Pearson.

Loucks was arrested and charged Monday and Robinson was arrested and charged the next day. Both men are scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning on bond hearings.