CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Legal professional Dena J. King introduced immediately that Keishaun Leroy Anderson, 20, and Kevin Matias Lopez, 29, each of Charlotte, have been sentenced for robbing and making an attempt to rob a number of gasoline stations in Charlotte.
Michael C. Scherck, Appearing Particular Agent in Cost of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Division (CMPD), be a part of U.S. Legal professional King in making immediately’s announcement.
U.S. District Decide Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Anderson to 111 months in jail, adopted by three years of supervised launch. Anderson pleaded responsible to Hobbs Act theft and possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a criminal offense of violence. Lopez was sentenced to 63 months in jail adopted by three years of supervise launch, after pleading responsible to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act theft and Hobbs Act theft.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork and immediately’s courtroom hearings, on November 1, 2020, Anderson and Lopez robbed and tried to rob a number of gasoline stations within the Charlotte space within the span of a hour. Courtroom data present that the primary tried theft passed off at a 7-Eleven on Nations Ford Street in Charlotte, at roughly 12:45 a.m. Throughout this incident, the shop clerk noticed Anderson strategy the shop with what seemed to be rifle or a shotgun. The clerk was capable of rapidly activate the door’s distant management lock mechanism and name 911. Anderson and Lopez fled the scene of their car.
The second tried theft passed off at a Circle Ok on South Tryon Road in Charlotte at roughly 1:04 a.m. Courtroom data present that, throughout this incident, Anderson tried to enter the gasoline station which was closed on the time. The clerk who was inside the shop noticed Anderson making an attempt to enter the shop and was capable of additional safe the closed doorways with zip ties. Lopez then got here to the door and tried to chop the zip ties with a knife however was unsuccessful. Anderson and Lopez left the gasoline station of their car.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, at roughly 1:12 a.m., the defendants robbed a Circle Ok situated on South Tryon Road. Throughout this theft, Anderson entered the shop, pulled a shotgun and pointed it on the retailer clerk. Anderson then ordered the clerk to present him cash from the protected and the register. Anderson and Lopez took the cash and drove away of their car.
The subsequent theft passed off at a 7-Eleven on Steele Creek Street in Charlotte, at roughly 1:27 a.m. Courtroom data present that Anderson got here into the shop with a shotgun and demanded cash and different gadgets from the shop clerk. Anderson then cocked the shotgun and took cash, cigarettes and cigars from the clerk earlier than he fled the scene with Lopez.
Whereas CMPD officers have been responding to the latest theft incident, one other CMPD officer anticipated the placement of the subsequent theft and drove to a gasoline station on Steele Creek Street. Whereas there, the officer noticed Anderson and Lopez arrive of their car on the gasoline station and depart shortly thereafter. Legislation enforcement adopted the defendants’ car into the parking zone of an residence complicated the place Anderson and Lopez have been arrested. Over the course of the arrest, legislation enforcement situated the shotgun Anderson had used to hold out the spree of robberies and tried robberies.
At immediately’s sentencing listening to, Decide Conrad famous that the crimes have been dedicated in a “harrowing and menacing style.”
The defendants are at the moment in federal custody. They are going to be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making immediately’s announcement, U.S. Legal professional King thanked the FBI and CMPD for his or her investigation of the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Regina Pack and David Kelly of the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace in Charlotte prosecuted the case.