District Man Pleads Guilty to Series of Armed Robberies Of Commercial Establishments in Washington, D.C. and Maryland

            WASHINGTON – Curtis Fogg, 29, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to offenses stemming from a series of armed robberies that targeted commercial businesses in Washington, D.C. and Maryland during a three-week period in 2014.

            The guilty plea was announced by Channing D. Phillips, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Hank Stawinski, Chief of the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department.

            Fogg pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to nine counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of armed robbery. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a prison sentence of 20 to 22 ½ years. The Honorable Senior Judge Paul L. Friedman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2017.

            According to the government’s evidence, Fogg brandished a firearm while committing 10 separate armed robberies of commercial businesses in August and September 2014. In many instances, store surveillance video captured Fogg and his distinct tattoos.

            “For nearly three weeks, Curtis Fogg armed himself with a gun and held up restaurants, convenience markets and cellphone stores,” said U.S. Attorney Phillips. “He was apprehended after a concerted effort by law enforcement and now has taken responsibility for his crimes. This prosecution demonstrates the commitment shared by federal and local law enforcement to target violent offenders who threaten the safety of our communities.”

            “Curtis Fogg violently targeted our local area business community, threatening and endangering lives for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate.  “The FBI will continue to work closely with our exceptional partners at the Metropolitan and Prince George’s County Police Departments to track down and stop those who threaten our citizens with violence.  Today’s guilty plea sends a strong message that crime that does not pay.”

            “The Prince George’s County Police Department thanks our federal and local law enforcement partners for their tremendous efforts in this case. Together, we were able to arrest and prosecute a suspect who brazenly targeted businesses in our community in the summer of 2014. We are pleased he can no longer victimize anyone in our region,” said Chief Stawinski.

            The robberies included:

• Aug. 14, 2014, approximately 10:30 p.m.: Fogg stole $250 and phones from two women who were in the New Look Hair Salon, in the 4300 block of Sheriff Road NE.

• Aug. 14, 2014, approximately 11:15 p.m.: Fogg stole about $100 from the register of a Papa John’s pizza restaurant in the 900 block of 11^th Street SE.

• Aug. 15, 2014, approximately 9:30 p.m.: Fogg stole about $600 from registers at the Patron Convenience Store in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

• Aug. 27, 2014, approximately 2:45 p.m.: Fogg again stole about $100 from the register of the Papa John’s restaurant in the 900 block of 11^th Street SE.

• Aug. 28, 2014, approximately 3 p.m.: Fogg stole $513 from a Cricket cellular telephone store in the 5500 block of Georgia Avenue NW.

• Aug. 30, 2014, approximately 5:10 p.m.: Fogg stole $284 from the cash register of a Subway sandwich shop in the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue SE.

• Aug. 31, 2014, approximately 6:30 p.m.: Fogg stole $60 from the register of Mama’s Pizza Kitchen, in the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Avenue SE, while also robbing the store’s owner of $100 in cash.

•  Sept. 1, 2014, approximately 7:25 p.m: Fogg stole $469 from the register of a Metro PCS cellular telephone store in the 4100 block of Wheeler Road SE.

• Sept. 2, 2014, approximately 7:10 p.m.: Fogg stole $500 from the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store in the 6200 block of Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, Md.

• Sept. 3, 2014, approximately 2:10 p.m.: Fogg entered a Metro PCS store in the 5200 block of Indian Head Highway in Oxon Hill, Md. and took about 15 new cellular telephones that were for sale on the counter, $539.75 in cash, and personal items from the individuals inside the store.

            Fogg was arrested on Sept. 5, 2014 and has been in custody ever since. At the time of his arrest, he was on supervised release following a 2009 conviction in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. Those working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia include Legal Assistants Latoya Wade, Brendan Coyne, and Diane Brashears, Paralegal Specialist Candace Battle, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Macchiaroli, of the Violent Crimes and Narcotics Trafficking Section, who prosecuted the matter. Those working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland include Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Paeffgen, who prosecuted the Maryland cases prior to them being transferred to Washington, D.C. for resolution before Judge Friedman.