Baltimore Man Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison For Armed Robbery Spree

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Quindell Ryeshawn Gardner, age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland today to 17 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a commercial robbery conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Judge Garbis also ordered Gardner to pay restitution of $4,291.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis.

According to his plea agreement, Gardner, Tavon McPhaul and others robbed stores in the Baltimore area. After deciding which place to rob, the conspirators would steal a car to use during the robbery. They also used a gun during the robberies to steal cash and cigarettes.

Gardner admitted that he committed approximately 22 armed robberies and co-conspirator McPhaul participated in 12 of those robberies, with Gardner going into the store to commit the robbery and McPhaul driving the getaway vehicle. Between June 28 and July 4, 2012, Gardner and McPhaul robbed five Baltimore area convenience stores, including a convenience store in the 6300 block of Eastern Avenue in Baltimore on July 4, 2012. Gardner used a short-barreled shotgun in each of the robberies.

Gardner was arrested following two convenience store robberies on July 4, 2012, after a car chase. Gardner’s clothing matched that of the individual who participated in both robberies that day. McPhaul, who was driving the getaway car, escaped on foot. While running, McPhaul attempted to wipe the firearm clean with a blanket. A sawed-off shotgun was recovered along the path of McPhaul’s escape. The vehicle driven by McPhaul during the robbery was found to be stolen.

Tavon McPhaul, also age 22, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 145 months in prison and was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,291.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments and Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin M. Block, who prosecuted the case.