PRESS RELEASE
June 24, 2008
Lexington, Ky. —A Lexington man, 21-year-old Isaiah Lamar Robinson pleaded guilty during the second day of his trial to three counts of armed robbery and three counts of the use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance those robberies.
After the testimony of two co-defendants, the defendant pleaded guilty following a lunch break.
“This comes at somewhat of a surprise,” said Assistant United States Attorney Hydee Hawkins. “However, given the strength of the evidence and a possible life sentence at stake this decision was in the best interest of defendant.”
Part of the evidence presented at trial included videos of the defendants posing with the proceeds from the November 27th robbery. The defendants also posted photos of themselves on their My Space Pages holding the proceeds from one of the robberies.
Robinson admitted that in less than a month’s time in late 2007, he robbed three Shell Gas Stations with the help from four other Lexington men. The other four men pleaded guilty to robbery and firearm charges in April for their roles in each of the robberies. Robinson robbed the Showalter Shell Station in Georgetown, Ky. on December 17, 2007. After exiting the station with the money Robinson spotted the clerk on the telephone at which time he ordered the clerk to the back of the station and fired several shots in her direction. One of the other participants, David Laine, 18, admitted that he entered the station with Robinson and demanded money from the clerk. Another man, 19-year-old Trey Haddix also pleaded guilty to robbery charges in April and acknowledged that he drove the vehicle to and from the robbery and accepted some of the proceeds.
Robinson further admitted in court that he robbed the Shell Gas Station on East Main Street in Georgetown on November 27, 2007 and the Shell Gas Station on Mary Lynn Drive on December 25, 2007. Robinson admitted to shooting and injuring the clerks in both robberies. Dijon Hollinger, 18, acknowledged he entered both Shell stations with Robinson, pointed a BB gun at the clerks and demanded money during both robberies. Another individual, 18-year-old Charles Omer Davis admitted that he drove the vehicle to each robbery and received proceeds from the November 27 robbery. According to Davis, during the December 25th robbery, while Robinson and Hollinger were in the store, he attempted to move the vehicle at which time he backed the vehicle off a cliff, rendering the vehicle in operable. The three defendants fled the scene on foot but were apprehended shortly thereafter by the officers from the Georgetown Police Department and deputies from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
“This prosecution is a direct result of the collaboration and hard work of local and federal agencies,” said Resident Agent in Charge of ATF (Lexington Field Office) Rich Putnam. “Because of the seriousness and nature of these crimes it was very apparent that had these subjects not been apprehended someone else may have been injured or even killed.” .
Acting United States Attorney James A. Zerhusen, Special Agent in Charge Paul Vido, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF - Louisville Division), Georgetown Police Chief Greg Reeves and Bobby Hammons of the Scott County Sheriff’s office jointly made the announcement after the guilty plea. The United States was represented by Hydee R. Hawkins and Erin J. May.
Robinson’s Sentencing is set for September 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Joseph M. Hood. The other four defendants are set to be sentenced on July 7 and could also receive up to life in prison.