Four Louisville Men Charged in String of Armed Robberies
Federal Charges Result from Project Recoil

LOUISVILLE, KY—David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, announced the indictment by federal grand jury today of four Louisville men charged with the armed robbery and attempted robbery of five businesses located in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and discharging a firearm during the course of a robbery. These federal charges stem from Project Recoil, the ongoing partnership of multiple Jefferson County, Kentucky law enforcement agencies, developed by U.S. Attorney Hale, Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, LMPD Chief Steve Conrad, ATF Special Agent in Charge Stuart Lowrey, FBI Special Agent in Charge Perrye Turner, and United States Marshal James Clark to maximize penalties for the most violent offenders and to reduce violent crime in our community.

The 10-count indictment charges, Jescell Whittle, age 22, and Tony Trumbo, Jr., age 23, with four counts of obstructing interstate commerce through robbery, one count attempted robbery, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery. Dahntel Newsome, age 18, is charged with two counts of obstructing interstate commerce through aiding and abetting a robbery, one count attempted robbery, and three counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery. James Gore, Jr., age 23, is charged with two counts of obstructing interstate commerce through aiding and abetting a robbery and one count brandishing a firearm during a robbery. All defendants, except Newsome, face an additional count of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a robbery.

Defendants Whittle, Trumbo, and Newsome are charged with robbing the Cricket Wireless located at 4442 Cane Run Road on October 22, 2012; attempted robbery of the Cricket Wireless located at 3125 West Broadway on October 23, 2012; and robbery of the JC Cigarette Outlet located at 2714 Crums Lane on October 29, 2012. Defendants Whittle, Trumbo, and Gore are charged with robbing the Thorntons located at 4516 Poplar Level Road on October 30, 2012, and the Speedway located at 3030 Taylor Boulevard on October 31, 2012. The federal robbery charges are brought pursuant to the Hobb’s Act, which criminalizes robberies that affect interstate commerce.

If convicted at trial, Whittle and Trumbo face a mandatory 100-year prison sentence for robbery and attempted robbery, a 107-year sentence for use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and a $2.5 million fine. Newsome faces a 60-year sentence for robbery and attempted robbery, a 57-year sentence for use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and a $1.75 million fine. Gore faces a 40-year sentence for robbery, a 32-year sentence for use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and a $1 million fine.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Spencer McKinness and is being investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.