Memphis, TN - The final member of a criminal gang responsible for at least three bank robberies and two business robberies was sentenced on Monday to 300 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III.
According to facts revealed in the indictment and during plea and sentencing hearings, from July 21 to 27, 2011, Ernest Goodman, 25, of Memphis, TN, was part of a gang that robbed three Bank of America branches across the city. Goodman himself also robbed a Pizza Hut located on Elvis Presley Blvd. and a Church’s Chicken restaurant on Summer Ave.
On at least one occasion during their crime spree, members of the gang discharged firearms and pistol-whipped innocent victims. They also robbed victims personally, in addition to robbing the businesses.
On May 16, 2013, Goodman pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery, one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce. U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Goodman to 84 months for using a firearm during a crime of violence and to 216 months for the other four charges. The four robbery charges are to be served concurrently, and the firearm charge is to be served consecutively, for a total of 300 months. Judge Anderson also ordered Goodman to pay $23,217 in restitution.
The five other members of the gang pleaded guilty to various charges. They are:
Thomas Vaughn, 28, of Memphis. Vaughn pleaded guilty on July 23, 2012, to three counts of bank robbery. On November 7, 2012, Judge Anderson sentenced him to a total of 300 months in prison and ordered restitution in the amount of $37,054.
Mario Ewing, 32, of Memphis. Ewing pleaded guilty on July 12, 2012, to three counts of bank robbery and three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. On August 8, 2013, Judge Anderson sentenced him to a total of 240 months in prison and ordered restitution in the amount of $37,054.
Edward Jones, 25, of Memphis. Jones pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2012 to two counts of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. On Jan. 29, 2013, Judge Anderson sentenced him to a total of 240 months in prison and ordered restitution in the amount of $32,908.
Deandre Taylor, 25, of Memphis. Taylor pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2012 to one count of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. On April 16, 2013, Judge Anderson sentenced him to a total of 120 months in prison and ordered restitution in the amount of $13,841.
Joshua Shelton, 19, of Memphis. Shelton pleaded guilty on July 13, 2012, to one count of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. On Oct. 31, 2012, Judge Anderson sentenced him to a total of 84 months in prison and ordered restitution in the amount of $13,841.
This case was investigated by the Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of law enforcement officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Germantown Police Department, and the Bartlett Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lorraine Craig represented the government. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
