Albemarle County Man Pleads Guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – An Albemarle County man pled guilty yesterday to breaking into a private home while armed in October 2021.

Traevon Gray, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. At sentencing, Gray faces up to 20 years in prison.

“The Department of Justice prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of violent crime, especially those involving firearms,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today.  “My Office will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to reduce violent crime in our communities and make the Western District of Virginia safer for all residents.”

“Violent crime instills fear by threatening the safety and security of our communities. As such, the FBI Richmond Safe Streets Task Force worked with local and federal partners to identify and hold the defendants accountable for their actions. Violent crime will not be tolerated in any form. We will continue to take steps to identify those persons who choose to threaten our communities and encourage anyone who has knowledge of such acts to contact authorities,” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI Richmond Division.

“The Albemarle County Police Department remains committed to collaborating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, like the United State Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This commitment to cooperation is vital to keeping the citizens, residents, and visitors of Albemarle County safe,” said Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Police for Albemarle County.

According to court documents, on the morning of October 27, 2021, Gray and co-defendant Damon Williams broke into the victim’s Albemarle County home through a backdoor. While both Gray and Williams were armed with firearms, they forced the victim from his upstairs bedroom into the kitchen where they ordered him to lie face down on the floor.

After stealing various items, Gray bound the victim’s hands with tape, punched him in the face, and pushed him into the kitchen pantry. The men stole two pounds of marijuana, several thousand dollars, a firearm, and other drug paraphernalia.

After the robbery, Gray and Williams fled to Spartanburg, South Carolina where they divided up the robbery proceeds.

Williams is scheduled to plead guilty to similar charges next week in federal court.

The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Albemarle County Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Carlton is prosecuting the case.