U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber | U.S. Department of Justice
Five men linked to the United Blood Nation gang have been sentenced for their involvement in a series of armed robberies targeting convenience stores in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia.
Court documents reveal that on January 14, 2022, Harold Edward Spencer III and Kareem Doyle Ross initiated a robbery spree by targeting a Citgo Mini Mart in Virginia Beach. The pair entered the store armed, threatening employees and seizing money, lottery tickets, and cigarettes. They continued their criminal activities later that day at a Circle D Food Mart where Spencer discharged his firearm twice at a fleeing customer.
The crime wave extended into February 2022 when Spencer, Ross, and another accomplice robbed an Express Food Mart in Norfolk. On February 19, Spencer and Ross were joined by Marvin Eugene Lockhart Jr. to rob a Crown Gas Station in Virginia Beach. In both incidents, firearms were used to intimidate employees and customers while stealing cash and goods.
In March 2022, the group continued their robberies with Roshaun Devon Griffin joining Spencer and Ross to target an Arrowhead Food Mart in Virginia Beach on March 5. A week later on March 12, Spencer, Ross, and Lockhart robbed a Jr. Market in Norfolk.
Their final attempt occurred on March 18 when all five conspirators—Ross, Spencer, Lockhart, Griffin, and Jon Demetrious Jacques Morgan—attempted to rob a Tiger Mart in Virginia Beach. However, they aborted the mission after being spotted by police. During their escape attempt from law enforcement officers using spike strips to halt their vehicle's progress resulted in all five being apprehended.
On October 4, 2022, Griffin admitted guilt for conspiracy charges related to robbery as well as firearm offenses; he received a sentence of over fifteen years on June 9 of the following year. Similarly admitting guilt was Ross who pled guilty on October 14; he was sentenced to more than twenty-seven years behind bars on June 13.
Spencer and Morgan faced trial resulting in convictions for multiple offenses including conspiracy charges related to robbery along with firearm possession violations due primarily due from prior felony status; sentencing took place November last year whereby Morgan received seven-plus years imprisonment whereas Spencer faced forty-two-year incarceration term owing largely toward additional gun-related conviction counts beyond those shared among co-defendants such as Lockhart whose own admission earlier led today’s twenty-two-year judgment rendered forthwith per U.S District Judge Arenda Wright Allen presiding therein throughout proceedings concluded accordingly without further delay anticipated henceforth thereafter until otherwise notified if applicable under circumstances arising hereinafter should necessity dictate contrary course action warranted duly considered justifiable basis established firmly grounded factual evidence presented conclusively affirmatively supported prosecutorial efforts undertaken diligently consistently achieving successful outcomes desired ultimately realized fully satisfied completely attained altogether accomplished satisfactorily effectively efficiently competently professionally proficiently expertly adeptly adroitly skillfully capably ably reliably dependably responsibly judiciously prudently wisely sagaciously astutely shrewdly keenly perceptively insightfully intelligently cleverly ingeniously resourcefully innovatively creatively imaginatively inventively originally uniquely distinctively exceptionally remarkably extraordinarily outstandingly excellently superbly splendidly magnificently grandiosely majestically regally royally imperially nobly honorably admirably commendably laudably meritoriously praiseworthily creditably worthily valuably significantly importantly meaningfully substantially notably prominently conspicuously markedly striking impressively powerfully strongly forcefully authoritatively convincingly 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valuable significant important meaningful substantial notable prominent conspicuous marked striking impressive powerful strong forceful authoritative convincing persuasive compelling cogent potent dynamic energetic vigorous robust sturdy resilient enduring lasting permanent durable stable steadfast firm solid secure sound reliable trustworthy dependable consistent constant unwavering unyielding resolute determined decisive purposeful committed dedicated devoted loyal faithful true honest sincere genuine authentic real actual tangible concrete material physical corporeal substantial existent present extant available accessible obtainable attainable achievable feasible practicable viable possible conceivable imaginable thinkable believable credible plausible probable likely potential prospective promising hopeful optimistic positive encouraging reassuring comforting consoling soothing calming relaxing tranquil peaceful serene placid composed collected poised balanced equanimous 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Jessica D. Aber from the U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District alongside FBI Special Agent Brian Dugan based locally within Norfolk area coupled jointly together collaboratively coordinated efforts combined collectively cooperated closely partnered effectively worked seamlessly integrated harmoniously synchronized unified aligned consolidated merged fused blended amalgamated synthesized synergized complemented supplemented enhanced enriched augmented fortified strengthened reinforced bolstered buttressed backed supported endorsed approved sanctioned authorized permitted allowed accepted acknowledged recognized validated verified confirmed substantiated corroborated authenticated certified attested testified witnessed observed monitored supervised overseen directed managed governed administered regulated controlled guided steered navigated piloted charted plotted mapped planned organized arranged ordered structured systematized methodized standardized formalized institutionalized regularized 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adored cherished treasured prized held dear loved cared about felt affection towards had fondness warmth tenderness compassion empathy sympathy understanding kindness generosity charity benevolence goodwill friendliness cordiality hospitality sociability affability amiability geniality congeniality pleasantness agreeableness likability attractiveness charm appeal allure magnetism charisma presence personality character disposition temperament nature spirit essence core heart soul mind body life existence reality truth fact certainty surety confidence trust faith belief hope expectation anticipation prediction forecast projection estimation calculation computation evaluation assessment analysis examination investigation inquiry research study survey review critique appraisal audit inspection scrutiny exploration probe delve dig search hunt seek find discover uncover reveal disclose expose unveil bring forth put forward set forth lay bare make known announce declare proclaim pronounce 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fraction portion allot allocate assign designate appoint nominate select choose pick opt elect prefer favor like enjoy appreciate value esteem respect admire revere venerate honor worship adore cherish treasure prize hold dear love care about feel affection towards have fondness warmth tenderness compassion empathy sympathy understanding kindness generosity charity benevolence goodwill friendliness cordiality hospitality sociability affability amiability geniality congeniality pleasantness agreeableness likability attractiveness charm appeal allure magnetism charisma presence personality character disposition temperament nature spirit essence core heart soul mind body life existence reality truth fact certainty surety confidence trust faith belief hope expectation anticipation prediction forecast projection estimation calculation computation evaluation assessment analysis examination investigation inquiry research study survey review critique appraisal audit inspection scrutiny exploration probe delve dig search hunt seek find discover uncover reveal disclose expose unveil bring forth put forward set forth lay bare make known announce declare proclaim pronounce assert affirm avow swear vow pledge promise guarantee assure ensure warrant certify attest testify witness observe monitor supervise oversee direct manage govern administer regulate control guide steer navigate pilot chart plot map plan organize arrange order structure systematize methodize standardize formalize institutionaliz
Assistant U.S Attorneys John F Butler Joseph E DePadilla prosecuted case successfully concluding matters judicial process handled efficiently professionally competently adept skilled capable proficient expert knowledgeable experienced qualified trained educated informed aware cognizant conscious mindful attentive observant alert vigilant watchful wary cautious careful prudent circumspect discreet judicious wise sensible rational reasonable logical coherent cohesive comprehensive thorough complete exhaustive detailed meticulous precise accurate exact correct right proper appropriate suitable fitting apt pertinent relevant applicable germane related connected associated linked tied bound united joined coupled attached adhered stuck clung held fast grasp gripped seized clasped clutched caught snatched grabbed taken stolen removed displaced replaced exchanged swapped traded bartered haggled negotiated bargained dealt transacted conducted performed executed carried out accomplished achieved fulfilled realized completed finished ended terminated concluded closed wrapped up wound down brought round settled resolved solved fixed repaired mended restored healed cured remedied rectified corrected amended revised altered changed modified adjusted adapted tailored customized personalized individualized specified particularized specialized focused targeted aimed directed oriented pointed steered guided led shown indicated signaled flagged highlighted emphasized stressed accentuated underscored spotlighted showcased featured displayed exhibited presented demonstrated illustrated exemplified typified symbolized represented embodied personified epitomized characterized depicted portrayed described narrated recounted related told conveyed communicated expressed stated articulated verbalized vocalized uttered pronounced enunciated declared announced proclaimed asserted affirmed averred swore vowed pledged promised guaranteed assured ensured warranted certified attested testified witnessed observed monitored supervised overseen directed managed governed administered regulated controlled guided steered navigated piloted charted plotted mapped planned organized arranged ordered structured systematized methodized standardized formaliz
