Baltimore Men Plead Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree
Co-Conspirators Admit Committing at Least a Dozen Armed Robberies of Stores and Businesses

BALTIMORE, MD—Quindell Ryeshawn Gardner, age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a commercial robbery conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On August 5, 2013, co-conspirator Tavon McPhaul, also age 22, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis.

Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said, “I want to extend my deep appreciation to all of the local, state, and federal partners who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to making Baltimore safer.”

“I’m happy that law enforcement partners were able to come together and build cases against these individuals,” said Chief Kevin Davis of the Anne Arundel County Police Department, “Clearly our citizens and business community are now much safer.”

According to their plea agreements, Gardner, McPhaul, and others robbed stores in the Baltimore area. After deciding which place to rob, the conspirators would steal a car to use during the robbery. They also used a gun during the robberies to steal cash and cigarettes.

Gardner and McPhaul admitted that they committed approximately 22 and 12 armed robberies, respectively, with Gardner going into the store to commit the robbery and McPhaul driving the getaway vehicle. Between June 28 and July 4, 2012, Gardner and McPhaul robbed five Baltimore area convenience stores, including a convenience store in the 6300 block of Eastern Avenue in Baltimore on July 4, 2012, with Gardner using a short-barreled shotgun in each of the robberies.

Gardner was arrested following two convenience store robberies on July 4, 2012, after a car chase. Gardner’s clothing matched that of the individual who participated in both robberies that day. McPhaul, who was driving the getaway car, escaped on foot. While running, McPhaul attempted to wipe the firearm clean with a blanket. A sawed-off shotgun was recovered along the path of McPhaul’s escape. The vehicle driven by McPhaul during the robbery was found to be stolen.

Gardner, McPhaul, and the government have agreed that if the court accepts their plea agreements, Gardner will be sentenced to between 15 and 25 years in prison and McPhaul will be sentenced to between 11 and 15 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for Gardner for October 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., and McPhaul is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15, 2013.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin M. Block, who is prosecuting the case.