Jamaris Ladell Smith, a 36-year-old resident of Charlotte, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison with an additional three years of supervised release for a series of armed robberies. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Joining him were James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Court documents reveal that Smith committed six armed robberies over two days. On January 17, 2023, around 11 p.m., Smith robbed a Sam’s Mart on Sharon Road while wearing distinctive clothing including a denim jacket with fake fur and a red and blue knit cap. He threatened the store clerk with a handgun before taking cash from the register.
The following day at about 3:30 p.m., Smith targeted a Walgreens on E WT Harris Blvd., demanding money while pointing a gun at the clerk and counting down from five to zero when she hesitated. Later that evening, he robbed a CVS on The Plaza using similar methods.
Smith continued his spree by robbing a Circle K later that night and then targeting a 7-Eleven early the next morning on January 19th. During each robbery, he used threats and intimidation to secure cash from store clerks.
In another incident at Burger King on Sharon Road around 6:05 a.m., Smith forced an employee into an office at gunpoint to access money from registers before fleeing in an SUV.
Smith was apprehended later that day after investigators reviewed surveillance footage identifying him as the suspect due to his unique clothing and vehicle. Authorities recovered these items along with the firearm used during the robberies.
On February 16, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to multiple counts related to Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr., who imposed the sentence, emphasized promoting respect for law and public safety.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and CMPD with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington.
