Man Who Robbed Raleigh Sweepstakes Business Sentenced to 25 Years

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Joseph Plummer, age 36, of Raleigh was sentenced today to 300 months in prison and five years of supervised release, for brandishing a firearm while robbing a Raleigh sweepstakes parlor.

“Luck was not on the side of Mr. Plummer and his crew when they targeted this sweepstakes parlor,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “After disarming a security guard and holding employees at gun point, he is now facing the next 25 years behind bars. Police also recovered every penny of the stolen cash. When you gamble with crime the odds are never on your side.”

“I am grateful for the work of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley’s office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their ongoing partnership in this case. This is another example of how collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners puts violent offenders behind bars. Plummer chose to conspire with others to terrorize and commit an armed robbery of a local business. This violence has no place in our community, and we will continue to vigorously investigate these incidents to ensure our Federal and state prosecutors have the necessary evidence to send these offenders to prison,” said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.

“ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to apprehending those who pose a threat to our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Through a focused collaboration, we’ve recovered multiple firearms and removed a dangerous individual from our streets.”

According to court records and evidence presented in court, in the spring of 2021, Plummer arranged a robbery of the NGM City Sweepstakes where his then-girlfriend, Tawanna Godwin, worked. Plummer sought the assistance of Eric Lamonte Fair, whom he had previously met in federal prison, to plan a robbery of the business. During the early morning hours of July 27, 2021, Plummer drove Fair, Ky’sheke Hishad Sweat and Elij-wn Unique Oglesby to the business on N. Market Drive in Raleigh. Fair, Sweat and Oglesby entered the business with assistance provided by Godwin. Once inside, all three men disarmed the business’s security guard and held the employees at gunpoint while they collected money and other items, such as an employee’s cell phone, from the victims. Plummer then drove Fair, Sweat and Oglesby back to the residence he shared with Godwin.

Witnesses gave Raleigh Police a description of the vehicle seen leaving the scene. A vehicle matching the description was located at a townhome complex. While an officer was examining the car, Fair, Sweat, and Oglesby came out of the residence. The clothing they were wearing was similar to the clothing worn by the robbers on the surveillance footage from the NGM City Sweepstakes. The trio denied being involved in the robbery but admitted to having been in the car. Officers obtained a warrant to search the residence and found nearly $60,000 in cash in the washer/dryer, and five firearms, including the gun taken from the security guard.

Sweat, age 24, of Concord pled guilty to robbery of a business in interstate commerce and aiding and abetting and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. On September 27, 2023, Sweat was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison.

Oglesby, age 25, of Salisbury, pled guilty to robbery of a business in interstate commerce and aiding and abetting and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting on February 8, 2023. On January 25, 2024, Oglesby was sentenced to serve 65 months in prison.

Fair, age 35, of Salisbury, pled guilty to robbery of a business in interstate commerce and aiding and abetting and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting on April 25, 2023. On March 13, 2024, Fair was sentenced to 96 months and 1 day in prison.

Godwin, age 46, of Raleigh pled guilty to robbery of a business in interstate commerce and aiding and abetting on December 12, 2023. Godwin’s sentencing is set for the May 21, 2024, term of court.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Raleigh Police Department investigated the case with the assistance of the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Nokes and Erin C. Blondel prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-251-M.

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