FORT WAYNE - United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, David Capp, announced that Craig Whigum, 21, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced today, for Interference with Commerce by Robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery) and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Whigum was the last of four defendants to be charged with the Nov. 13, 2012, armed robbery of Shooters Guns, a federally licensed firearms dealer located in New Haven, Indiana.
Whigum was sentenced to a total of 153 months imprisonment, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $23,672.14 in restitution to the victim of the offense.
“This case highlights the outstanding cooperative work by our federal, state and local law enforcement team in Fort Wayne. We will continue to investigate, and where appropriate, bring substantial federal charges against violent offenders," said United States Attorney Capp.
On Nov. 13, 2012, Whigum was in a vehicle with other individuals for the purpose of robbing firearms from Shooters Guns, a federal firearms licensee then located in New Haven, Allen County, Indiana. After arriving at Shooters Guns, Whigum and a codefendant, Brenton Ennis, entered the business and displayed firearms to the two individuals in the store, the owner of Shooters and a person who was visiting the owner. Ennis and Whigum demanded money and keys from both victims while ordering them to the ground. Whigum assaulted the visitor, causing injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Before exiting the store, Ennis and Whigum stole 20 handguns and 3 long guns in addition to all the ammunition they could carry. On the way out of the store, Ennis fired a single 9mm round inside the establishment.
Ennis and Whigum returned to their vehicle and fled from the store at a high rate of speed. The description of the vehicle was reported to police. Officers caught up to the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, instead the car hit another vehicle at an intersection and came to rest in front of a concrete barrier. Whigum was apprehended in the vehicle. Orlando Paschall was apprehended a short distance from the vehicle. Ennis was later apprehended by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Devonte Travier, who was not an occupant in the vehicle, was also later apprehended by ATF, and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
The other three defendants have previously been sentenced as listed below:
* Brenton Ennis, 20, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced on Dec. 2, 2014 to 166 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release and ordered to pay $23,672.14 in restitution.
* Orlando Paschall, 23, of Indianapolis, Indiana was sentenced on March 11, 2015 to 130 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release and ordered to pay $23,672.14 in restitution.
* Devonte Travier 20, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced on Nov. 18, 2014 to 60 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release and ordered to pay $23,672.14 in restitution.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Police Department and the New Haven Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
