Charlotte Duo Sentenced To Prison For Armed Robberies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Keishaun Leroy Anderson, 20, and Kevin Matias Lopez, 29, both of Charlotte, were sentenced for robbing and attempting to rob multiple gas stations in Charlotte.

Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Anderson to 111 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Anderson pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Lopez was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervise release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.

According to court documents and today’s court hearings, on November 1, 2020, Anderson and Lopez robbed and attempted to rob multiple gas stations in the Charlotte area in the span of a hour. Court records show that the first attempted robbery took place at a 7-Eleven on Nations Ford Road in Charlotte, at approximately 12:45 a.m. During this incident, the store clerk observed Anderson approach the store with what appeared to be rifle or a shotgun. The clerk was able to quickly activate the door’s remote control lock mechanism and call 911. Anderson and Lopez fled the scene in their vehicle.

The second attempted robbery took place at a Circle K on South Tryon Street in Charlotte at approximately 1:04 a.m. Court records show that, during this incident, Anderson attempted to enter the gas station which was closed at the time. The clerk who was inside the store observed Anderson attempting to enter the store and was able to further secure the closed doors with zip ties. Lopez then came to the door and attempted to cut the zip ties with a knife but was unsuccessful. Anderson and Lopez left the gas station in their vehicle.

According to court documents, at approximately 1:12 a.m., the defendants robbed a Circle K located on South Tryon Street. During this robbery, Anderson entered the store, pulled a shotgun and pointed it at the store clerk. Anderson then ordered the clerk to give him money from the safe and the register. Anderson and Lopez took the money and drove away in their vehicle.

The next robbery took place at a 7-Eleven on Steele Creek Road in Charlotte, at approximately 1:27 a.m. Court records show that Anderson came into the store with a shotgun and demanded money and other items from the store clerk. Anderson then cocked the shotgun and took money, cigarettes and cigars from the clerk before he fled the scene with Lopez.

While CMPD officers were responding to the most recent robbery incident, another CMPD officer anticipated the location of the next robbery and drove to a gas station on Steele Creek Road. While there, the officer observed Anderson and Lopez arrive in their vehicle at the gas station and leave shortly thereafter. Law enforcement followed the defendants’ vehicle into the parking lot of an apartment complex where Anderson and Lopez were arrested. Over the course of the arrest, law enforcement located the shotgun Anderson had used to carry out the spree of robberies and attempted robberies.

At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Conrad noted that the crimes were committed in a “harrowing and menacing fashion.”

The defendants are currently in federal custody. They will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Regina Pack and David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.