NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Sylvester Lipscombe, 48, of Newport News, pleaded guilty today to charges related to five commercial robberies in Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News in 2015.
According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Lipscombe completed multiple robberies from Sept. 29 to Dec. 28, 2015, including:
* Burger King in Suffolk, Sept. 29, 2015
* Krispy Kreme in Hampton, Oct. 18, 2015
* Hampton Health Mart in Hampton, Dec. 1, 2015
* CheckSmart in Hampton, Dec. 4, 2015
* Metro PCS in Newport News, Dec. 23, 2015
Lipscombe was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each robbery when sentenced on Feb. 3, 2017. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Michael Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police; Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division; and Thomas E. Bennett, Chief of Suffolk Police, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Cross is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-40.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
