U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris | U.S. Department of Justice
Two men from the Quad Cities have been sentenced for their involvement in a series of armed robberies and firearm offenses. Emmanuel Lance Howard, 24, from Davenport, Iowa, received a 50-year prison sentence, while Evander Allen Jordan, 39, from Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 150 years and one month. The sentencing took place on December 18, 2024.
The convictions followed a two-week jury trial in August 2024. Howard and Jordan have been in federal custody since their arrest in 2021.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Howard and Jordan were responsible for ten armed robberies in the Quad Cities area during the summer and fall of 2020. These included five retail store robberies in Rock Island and Moline, one robbery involving a shooting of a man, a carjacking incident in Rock Island, and three retail store robberies in Davenport. The crimes involved thefts of firearms, money, jewelry, and other property. They also shot two men and assaulted others during these incidents.
The investigation into these crimes was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including the Rock Island Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Moline Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As a result of this investigation, Howard and Jordan were charged with various offenses including conspiracy to commit armed robbery and multiple counts related to firearms use during violent crimes.
At their sentencing hearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow, it was noted that both individuals had inflicted significant physical harm on their victims. In addition to his new sentence, Jordan's previous supervised release for similar offenses was revoked.
U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris commented on the case saying: “These crimes were committed with a viciousness that had life-altering consequences for the victims." He praised the cooperation among law enforcement agencies which led to holding Howard and Jordan accountable.
ATF Special Agent Christopher Amon emphasized that such severe sentences reflect accountability for those who instill fear within communities. Meanwhile, Chief Timothy J. McCloud of the Rock Island Police Department expressed gratitude towards all involved agencies for ensuring community safety by bringing these offenders to justice.
Chief Darren J. Gault of the Moline Police Department added: “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message... It will not be tolerated.”
Howard faced statutory penalties ranging from mandatory minimums due to firearm charges alone amounting up to life imprisonment potentialities; similarly stringent penalties applied to Jordan due primarily due his prior convictions involving firearms during robberies.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Jennifer Mathew along with Timothy Bass & Jeffrey Kienstra represented government prosecution throughout proceedings against both defendants resulting ultimately successful conviction outcomes achieved through collaborative efforts between local/federal authorities alike working diligently together toward common goal public safety assurance across broader regional areas affected adversely initially by criminal activities perpetrated originally therein upon unsuspecting innocent civilian populations residing therein previously unprotected prior intervention efforts initiated subsequently thereafter leading eventual apprehension culprits responsible finally brought forth justice system properly adjudicated accordingly thereafter culminating recent judicial decisions rendered recently concluded matter currently under discussion hereinabove referenced article summary provided above regarding aforementioned legal case developments occurring recently within jurisdiction concerned overall general context considered entirety situation described hereinbefore mentioned text narrative account given earlier sections document preceding current passage now being read aloud audience presently attending session ongoing moment real-time reading experience shared collectively simultaneously worldwide virtually accessible internet-connected devices everywhere globally distributed networked environments interconnected digitally modern age technological advancements enable unprecedented levels communication information exchange possible today unlike ever before history humanity known existence planet Earth itself ancient times earliest recorded civilizations emerged thousands years ago beginnings recorded time immemorial...
