Norfolk Man Who Robbed Five Commercial Outlets in Tidewater and North Carolina Convicted

NORFOLK, VA—Raymond Lewis Perry, 19, of Norfolk, Va., was convicted today by a federal jury on one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by means of robbery, three counts interference with commerce by means of robbery, and four counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Robert G. Doumar. Perry faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 80 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on October 3, 2011.

Perry was indicted on March 17, 2011 on the robbery and firearm charges. According to court records and evidence at trial, Perry conspired with two other men to rob grocery stores, convenience stores, and a restaurant in Virginia Beach and North Carolina. The robberies which spanned a two week period in September 2010 included two Family Foods businesses in northeast North Carolina, a 7-Eleven in Virginia Beach, a pizzeria in Virginia Beach, and finally a LukOil gas station in Virginia Beach, in which the clerk was shot but survived.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Virginia Beach Police Department and the Gates County, N.C. Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Cameron Rountree and Assistant United States Attorney Ben Hatch are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.