Crew Linked To Ten Armed Robberies Indicted On Federal Charges

Little Rock– Christopher R. Thyer, Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; Grover Crossland, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Chief Mike Davis of the North Little Rock Police Department; announced the arrest and return of two federal indictments charging four (4) men with the armed robbery of seven local fast-food restaurants and one store, as well as the attempted armed robbery of one local fast-food restaurant and a bank. The robberies occurred between January 2013 and June 2013 in North Little Rock, Little Rock, Sherwood, and Cabot. The establishments targeted in the robberies include five (5) different Sonic Drive-Ins, two (2) Subway restaurants, a Dollar General store, Yogurt Mountain, and the Bank of England.

“The citizens of Arkansas deserve to enjoy a bite to eat without the fear of thugs with guns threatening their meal,” stated Thyer. “This is the second string of robberies we have indicted in two months. As in the case we indicted in June, it is through the partnership with law enforcement at the local level that these men are facing these charges. Arkansans are safer today and really, every day, due to the commitment of law enforcement to work together.”

SAC Crossland said, “This joint investigation between NLRPD and ATF illustrates the impact on reducing violent crime when agencies combine and coordinate their skills and resources. This investigation is an example of excellent investigative work, a job well done by the investigators.”

“With the arrest of these individuals robberies will go down,” stated Chief Davis. “The number may be small but at least one or two individuals who knew these subjects or heard about their arrest will decide it’s not worth it. The price is too high. Because of our relationship with the ATF through our Task Force Officer Michael Gibbons, we have been able to make several arrests -- arrests that result in convictions with federal sentences which don’t typically end with probation, quite the opposite, they end with substantial prison sentences with no chance of parole. These arrests are just a couple of the many that have occurred over this past year as a result of our relationship with the ATF. Individuals who have committed many of our violent and property crimes have received large prison sentences because of their decision to involve a firearm in their crime.”

The first indictment charges Darius Antonio Malvin, 22, of Little Rock; Marquis D. Robinson, 23, of Little Rock, and Justin Lamar Williams, 24, of England, Arkansas, in twenty-one-counts related to the crime spree. The counts include one (1) count of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, eight (8) counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, one (1) count of Attempted Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and nine (9) counts of Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Malvin and Robinson are charged in all of the armed robberies; Williams is charged along Malvin and Robinson in four of the armed robberies. Robinson is charged separately in two different counts with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and with being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition.

If convicted of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery or Interference with Commerce by Robbery, each defendant will face a sentence of not more than 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $250,000, followed by not more than three years of supervised release. If convicted of Brandishing a Firearm during the robberies, federal law requires a sentence of not less than seven (7) years imprisonment to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the underlying robbery.

The second indictment charges Malvin, Robinson, and Desmond L. Jones, 27 of Scott, Arkansas, with the attempted robbery of the Bank of England, located at 11044 Highway 165, in North Little Rock, on May 24, 2013. Malvin is also charged with brandishing a firearm during that attempted robbery. Jones is also charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition on the same date.

If convicted of attempted bank robbery, the men will face a sentence of not more than 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $250,000, followed by not more than three years of supervised release.

A conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition carries a possible punishment of not more than ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $250,000, followed by not more than three years of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the North Little Rock Police Department with assistance from the Little Rock, Sherwood, and Cabot Police Departments. The indictment is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gordon.

An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

DEFENDANTS/CHARGES

Darius Antonio Malvin, 22, Little Rock: Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery (8 counts), Attempted Interference with Commerce by Robbery (1 Count), Attempted Bank Robbery (1), Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (10 Counts).

Marquis D. Robinson, 23, Little Rock: Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery (8 counts), Attempted Interference with Commerce by Robbery (1 Count), Attempted Bank Robbery (1), Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (9 Counts), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (1 Count), Felon in Possession of Ammunition (1 Count).

Justin Lamar Williams, 24, England: Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery (3 counts), Attempted Interference with Commerce by Robbery (1 Count), Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (4 Counts)

Desmond L. Jones, 27, Scott: Attempted Bank Robbery (1), Felon in Possession of Ammunition (1 Count).

STATUTORY SENTENCES

Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than 3 years supervised release.

Interference with Commerce by Robbery (or an Attempt) is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than 3 years supervised release.

Attempted Bank Robbery is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of
Prisons with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than 3 years supervised release.
Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence is punishable by not less than 7 years, but not more than life, incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons (consecutive to any other sentence imposed) with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than 5 years supervised release .

Felon in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition is punishable by not more than 10 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than 3 years supervised release.