Portsmouth Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery Spree

NORFOLK, VA—Jonathan Ray Allen, 28, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was sentenced today to 384 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, robbery ,and firearm charges.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Royce E. Curtin, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation Norfolk Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

Allen was found guilty by a federal jury of all charges on March 23, 2012. The charges included a conspiracy count, nine substantive robbery counts, and nine gun counts. According to court documents, between May and June 2011, Allen and several co-conspirators robbed at gunpoint a number of check cashing establishments and other business establishments, including a Foot Locker Store and beauty supply shop. Allen was charged with nine armed robberies. Allen’s co-defendants pled guilty and agreed to cooperate while Allen went to trial. During the trial, 19 victims were able to identify Allen in court as the person who robbed them at gunpoint.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Office. Assistant United States Attorney William Muhr and Special Assistant United States Attorney Amy Cross 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.