Dallas Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Takeover-Style Robbery of AT&T Store in Grand Prairie

DALLAS — The ring-leader of a group of individuals who were involved in the January 2015 take-over style robbery of an AT&T store in Grand Prairie, Texas, was sentenced yesterday to a lengthy federal prison sentence, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Luther Elder, 30, of Dallas, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey, following his guilty plea in December 2015 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting.  Elder was also ordered to pay $13,854 in restitution.

According to documents filed in the case, on January 23, 2015, Elder recruited co-defendants Chambrezia Johnson, 26, and Anthony Poe, 22, as well as another unknown individual, to assist him and co-defendant Brandon Walker, 29, in robbing an AT&T store in Grand Prairie.  Upon picking up Johnson and Poe and the unknown individual, Elder and Walker drove the group to a Wal-Mart in Grand Prairie, where Elder purchased a duffel bag and an “air gun” that was intended to be used in the robbery. 

After arriving at the AT&T store, Johnson and Walker entered the store to scout it out and determine how many people were in the store.  They left and advised Elder, who then instructed Poe and the unknown individual to rob the store and for Johnson to stay in the back of the store as a potential getaway driver. 

At approximately 1:23 p.m., Poe entered the store carrying the “air gun” while the unknown individual entered and brandished what appeared to be a firearm.  Poe and the unknown individual ordered all of the employees to the back of the store and the unknown individual struck an 81-year-old customer on the side of the head, because she was not complying fast enough with his demands, and then drug her to the rear of the store by her neck.  Poe and the unknown individual demanded cash and cell phones from the victims, fled the store, and were picked up by Elder and Walker.  Elder and Walker than dropped off Poe and the unknown individual at a motel before being arrested as they were in route to sell the stolen phones.

Defendants Walker, Poe and Johnson, all Dallas residents, have each pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting; each faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on that conviction.  Poe also pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine.  On that conviction, Poe faces a statutory penalty of not less than five or more than 40 years in federal prison.  Sentencing dates are set for later this month and in June 2015.

The case was investigated by the Grand Prairie Police Department, the Dallas Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Poe is in charge of the prosecution.

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