Serial Armed Robber Sentenced to 124 Years in Prison

Frank Richardson, Jr., 39 of Detroit, was sentenced to 124 years in federal prison after having been found guilty in June on 10 counts of robbery and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abatte, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Acting Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Detroit Police Chief James Craig.

The sentence was imposed by Chief Judge Gerald E. Rosen in Detroit.

The evidence presented at trial established that Richardson was the leader of a seven man robbery crew that committed armed robberies of Verizon and Radio Shack stores in the cities of Detroit and Eastpointe between February 22, 2010 and May 8, 2010. Richardson and one of his co-defendants selected and surveilled the stores to be robbed. They would then assemble the crew and, armed with handguns, commit armed robberies at the various locations. During the robberies, employees and patrons would be forced into rear storage rooms at gunpoint. Other co-defendants collected cellular telephones into large laundry bags before fleeing the store. Richardson would act as a look-out from outside each location, communicating with the men inside the stores by cell phone or handheld radios. The stolen cell phones would later be sold to individuals who offered them for sale online on e-Bay. Through the course of the robberies, losses to the various stores exceeded $80,000.

Richardson and the rest of the crew were apprehended when counter-surveillance by the Detroit FBI Violent Crimes Task Force resulted in arrests immediately following the May 8, 2010 robbery.

US Attorney McQuade stated, “A lengthy sentence like this one results from the mandatory minimum sentences required for multiple counts of armed robbery. Congress mandated severe sentences for the severe harm violent criminals cause to public safety. We hope that violent offenders will take note of this type of sentence and put down their guns."

FBI Detroit Field Office Special Agent in Charge, Paul M. Abbate said, "This investigation, leading to the arrest, conviction, and sentencing of the defendant, highlights the value and effectiveness of combining local, state, and federal resources and working jointly to combat violent criminals and protect the citizens of the Detroit metropolitan area. The FBI Detroit Division maintains strong working relationships with its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue violent criminal offenders and protect the community."

ATF Acting Special Agent McCrary stated, “In addition to the intense prosecution effort, we are getting the word out that violent crime committed with a firearm will lead to serious time in prison. I think the message is clear that we will not tolerate individuals who continually jeopardize the safety of our citizens by committing senseless violent acts of crime.”

United States Attorney McQuade praised the work of the Detroit Violent Crimes Task Force for the diligent pursuit and investigation of the men who were intent on terrorizing businesses, employees, and customers in the Detroit area. The Violent Crimes Task Force is composed of federal and local law enforcement officers who focus their efforts on the investigation and apprehension of individuals who commit violent, assaultive, and narcotics related federal offenses in southeastern Michigan.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeanine Brunson and John O’Brien.