A federal jury has convicted Janathian Porter, 27, of Franklin, on a charge of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Porter, also known as Frankboy Nate, Nate, or Nate Dog, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Court records and evidence presented at trial showed that Leonra Douglas, also known as Leondra, Leondre, or Worm, 26, arranged a drug transaction on October 28, 2024. During the meeting with a marijuana dealer and Porter, Porter robbed the dealer at gunpoint and took the dealer’s firearm. Both Porter and Douglas left the scene in separate vehicles.
On November 1, 2024, law enforcement stopped a vehicle suspected of involvement in the earlier robbery. Douglas was driving with three minor children inside. Officers found a stolen handgun under the driver’s seat. Douglas is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions.
Later that month on November 12, a man saw Porter going through his vehicle at home. The victim noticed a speaker missing and followed Porter as he tried to leave in another car. At the end of a cul-de-sac, Porter fired shots at the victim. Shell casings recovered matched the caliber of another firearm reported stolen nearby that same evening.
Porter has eight prior felony convictions for offenses including breaking and entering, grand larceny, buying or receiving stolen goods, eluding police, probation violations, and hit and run. As a convicted felon he is barred from having firearms or ammunition.
Douglas pleaded guilty on August 25 to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on January 30, 2026. Federal sentences are often less than maximum penalties; sentencing will be determined by a district court judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
"Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. accepted the verdict and the pleas."
The Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office assisted with investigating incidents on October 28 and November 1; Franklin Police Department assisted with investigating the November 12 offense.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Cheney, Anthony Marek, and Kristin G. Bird are prosecuting these cases.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
Further information about this case can be found on websites for both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, or through PACER by searching Case Nos. 2:25-cr-62, 2:25-cr-77, and 2:25-cr-78.
