Man Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For String Of Armed Robberies In Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jamaris Ladell Smith, 36, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 14 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release today for a string of armed robberies, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings, of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

According to documents filed with the court, Smith committed six armed robberies in a span of two days. Court records show that, on January 17, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., Smith entered the Sam’s Mart located at 4627 Sharon Road in Charlotte. Wearing a denim jacket with a fake fur collar, a red and blue knit cap, a black hoody, and blue jeans, Smith pointed a handgun at the store clerk and demanded cash. During the robbery, Smith told the clerk not to get killed over the store, warning her that she would be killed if she made the wrong move. The clerk placed the cash drawer on the counter and Smith took the money and left the scene.

The next day, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Smith, wearing a blue denim jacket with the words “Empty Promises” written on the back, entered the Walgreens located at 7115 E WT Harris Blvd. in Charlotte and asked the clerk to open the register. Smith then pointed a black handgun at the clerk. When the clerk hesitated, Smith began to count down from five to zero. The clerk opened the register and Smith reached over and grabbed the cash. As with the previous robbery, Smith told the clerk he was not playing around and that he would shoot her. After taking the cash, Smith left the scene.

On the same day, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Smith, wearing the same denim jacket with the words “Empty Promises” written on the back, entered the CVS located at 6110 The Plaza, in Charlotte. Smith stood at the empty counter until the clerk came from the back to help him. At that point, Smith pulled out a gun and said, “Don’t move and don’t scream. Give me everything you got.” The clerk opened the store register and gave Smith cash. Smith then fled the scene in a vehicle.

Later the same evening, a little after 11:00 p.m., Smith, wearing a denim jacket with a fake fur collar, a red and black knit cap, and a black hoody, entered the Circle K located at 4474 Randolph Road, in Charlotte. Smith pointed a black handgun at the store clerk, telling him to empty the register. Smith grabbed the cash from the register and left.

The next day, on January 19, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Smith, wearing the same outfit as the day prior, entered the 7-Eleven located at 8101 Old Concord Road in Charlotte, pointed a handgun at the clerk and stated, “it’s not worth it, give me all the money.” Smith took the store’s cash and left.

U.S. v. Jamaris Ladell Smith – January 19, 2023, Armed Robbery of 7-Eleven Store

Then a few hours later, at approximately 6:05 a.m., Smith entered the Burger King located at 4709 Sharon Road, in Charlotte, pointed a gun at an employee, forced her into the office and demanded money from the cash registers. Smith took the cash and fled in a silver SUV.

Smith was arrested later the same day after investigators reviewed surveillance videos from the robberies and identified him as the robber. Distinctive articles of clothing Smith wore during the robberies, including the jacket with the writing on the back, were recovered from Smith’s residence. Also, the firearm Smith used during the robberies was found in Smith’s vehicle.

On February 16, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to six counts of Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. He remains in custody pending transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In sentencing Smith to a lengthy prison term, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. noted the need to promote respect for the law and to protect the public.

The FBI and CMPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.