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Press Release

Baltimore Armed Robber Sentenced To Over 12 Years In Prison For Committing A Dozen Armed Robberies

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Tavon McPhaul, age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland today to 145 months 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.

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, from May 2012 through July 4, 2012, McPhaul, Quindell Gardner 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.

McPhaul admitted that he committed approximately 12 armed 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, with Gardner using 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.

Quindell Ryeshawn Gardner, age 22, also of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing. Gardner and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts his plea agreement, he will be sentenced to between 15 and 25 years in prison.

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 is prosecuting the case.

Updated January 26, 2015