ELIZABETH CITY - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, before United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle a jury convicted, DESMOND SIMPSON, 29, of Wilmington, for Robbery and Carrying and Brandishing a Firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence.
SIMPSON was named in an Indictment filed on Dec. 17, 2013.
According to the investigation and information presented in open court during the trial, on April 25, 2012, SIMPSON, robbed a Papa John’s delivery person and repeatedly beat the individual in the head with the butt of a handgun resulting in significant head injuries requiring numerous staples. SIMPSON was connected to the crime with DNA evidence.
At sentencing that will be scheduled at a later date, SIMPSON faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment for the Hobbs Act Robbery and not less than 7 years and up to life imprisonment for the 924(c) conviction.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson and Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson prosecuted the case. Ms. Wilson is a prosecutor with the District 5 District Attorney’s Office encompassing New Hanover and Pender Counties. District Attorney Ben David has assigned her to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute violent crime, firearm related cases, and narcotic crimes.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
