Desmond Simpson Of Wilmington Sentenced For Hobb’s Act Robbery And Firearms Violation 924(c)

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced, DESMOND SIMPSON, 29, of Wilmington, to 189 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

SIMPSON was named in an Indictment filed on December 17, 2013. On September 30, 2014, the Defendant was found guilty by a jury of Robbery of a Business Engaged in Interstate Commerce and Using, Carrying and Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.  According to the investigation and information presented in open court during the trial and sentencing, on April 25, 2012, SIMPSON, robbed a Papa John’s delivery person after calling in the order and waiting for the delivery driver to attempt the delivery.  When the delivery driver arrived at the given address for the delivery, SIMPSON brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s money.  When the victim refused and tried to run away, SIMPSON grabbed him by the collar and began to fight with him, repeatedly hitting the victim in the head with the firearm, an injury which required numerous staples.  SIMPSON fled the area but left behind a pair of sunglasses that he wore during the robbery.  Later testing confirmed SIMPSON’S DNA on this item.  In addition, a shirt was found nearby the scene of the robbery that had SIMPSON’S DNA on it along with the DNA of the delivery driver.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.  Ms. Wilson is a prosecutor with the District 5 District Attorney’s Office encompassing New Hanover and Pender Counties.  District Attorney Ben David has assigned her to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute violent crime, firearm related cases, and narcotic crimes.