Quashawn Pettiford, a 34-year-old resident of Syracuse, has been sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for the crime of Interference With Commerce Through Robbery. The announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Pettiford had previously entered a plea agreement admitting his involvement in a robbery on January 11, 2022. According to his admission, he and two accomplices entered a gas station in Salina, New York while wearing masks. His accomplices were armed with BB guns resembling real firearms. During the incident, one accomplice pressed a gun against the store clerk's neck and demanded access to the cash register. The group then stole approximately $1,200 worth of merchandise from store shelves, $1,495 from the cash register, and $513 from the clerk’s wallet.
In addition to his prison sentence, Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes imposed a three-year term of supervised release for Pettiford following his incarceration. He is also required to pay restitution to his victims and forfeit $3,208 in proceeds obtained from the offense.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from several local law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, DeWitt Police Department, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Thomas R. Sutcliffe.
