Portsmouth Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery

NORFOLK, VA—Zagala Von Rogers, 23, of Portsmouth, Va., was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to 122 months in prison, 38 months for interference with commerce by robbery and 84 months for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The prison terms are to be served consecutively.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Rogers was sentenced by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Rogers previously pled guilty on May 27, 2011.

According to court documents, Rogers, along with co-defendants Demeatric Eugene Blow and Eddie Lavon Cason, committed the September 16, 2010 armed robbery of a Portsmouth, Virginia, Quality Inn. At approximately midnight, the victim-employee unlocked the lobby door to allow Cason to enter after he had approached the motel lobby on crutches posing as a prospective customer. It was then that Rogers and Blow forced their way into the lobby, attacked the victim-employee while brandishing a firearm and forced the victim-employee to walk to a back room. Rogers stole approximately $350 from the cash register, after which he and Blow fled on foot. Shortly thereafter, Rogers and Blow were picked up by Cason.

Both Demeatric Eugene Blow and Eddie Lavon Cason pled guilty on May 27, 2011. Blow was sentenced on October 3, 2011 and received 38 months in prison for interference with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to interfere with commerce. Blow also received 84 months in prison for use, carry and brandish a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Blow’s prison terms are to be served consecutively. Eddie Lavon Cason is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 5, 2011.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Darryl Mitchell prosecuted 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.