Man Sentenced To Over 14 Years In Prison For Six Armed Robberies

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A local man has been sentenced to 171 months in federal prison for committing six armed robberies of commercial establishments in Las Vegas during the summer of 2013, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.

Herbert Johnson, 23, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on Tuesday, Aug. 11.  Johnson pleaded guilty in April to six counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to the guilty plea memorandum, Johnson robbed three gas stations, a pizza store, and two bars/restaurants in Las Vegas between July 26 and Aug. 29, 2013.  During five of the robberies, Johnson used a handgun to rob the store cashiers and a bartender.  Johnson scouted the business beforehand and served as a lookout during the other robbery. Johnson’s accomplice for two of the robberies, Quincy Stephens, also pleaded guilty to robbery and firearms charges and was sentenced in October 2014 to 151 months in prison.

“This case was screened through the Southern Nevada Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “The members of this task force, which include federal and local law enforcement representatives and prosecutors, meet on a regular basis to discuss recent arrests involving guns and violent crime.  Through this collaborative effort, the team members make a determination whether the case should be handled federally or by the state.”

Johnson has a lengthy criminal history, including a prior felony robbery conviction in Clark County, Nev.  Johnson also has a pending murder charge in Clark County.          

The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Griswold.