August 17, 2015

Armed Home Invaders/Carjackers Sentenced

DALLAS—A Dallas man who admitted to his role in an armed home invasion and carjacking conspiracy has been sentenced, announced John Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Blake Robertson, 23, of Dallas, was sentenced last Thursday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to serve a total of 136 months in federal prison. Robertson pleaded guilty in May 2013 to an indictment charging one count each of conspiracy to commit carjacking; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and carjacking.

Robertson’s four co-conspirators, Jeremiah Walker, 25; Christopher Staton, 20; Michael Wafer, 26; and Ladavid Sims, 20; each pleaded guilty to the same offenses and were sentenced earlier this year to 130 months, 141 months, 180 months, and 148 months, respectively, in federal prison.

On December 30, 2013, the five defendants discussed, planned, and agreed to rob an individual, “M.J.,” who was an acquaintance of Walker’s, at M.J.’s house in Dallas, and then steal his vehicle. Officers with the Dallas Police Department identified these five defendants as suspects in the armed home invasion and carjacking of M.J. during the early morning hours of December 31, 2013. Just prior to that, they had attempted another armed robbery in North Dallas, during which the victim was shot.

When the five conspirators entered M.J’s house, they were carrying firearms and were willing to inflict serious injury upon M.J. if he failed to comply with their demands. The conspirators demanded money and jewelry from M.J., at gunpoint, and M.J. was struck in the head several times with a weapon. The conspirators also took the keys to M.J.’s vehicle and all five conspirators fled in that vehicle.

The Dallas Police Department and the FBI investigated. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Miller prosecuted.