Two More Defendants in Violent Robberies Sentenced to Long Prison Terms

PHILADELPHIA—Emmanuel Duran, 28, and John Bowie, 23, both of Philadelphia, were sentenced today to prison terms in excess of 240 years each for their roles in violent armed robberies of pharmacies and other businesses in Philadelphia and for violent home invasion robberies that included the abduction and torture of one victim. Duran was sentenced to 240 years and two months; Bowie was sentenced to 246 years and two months.

Between February and May 2010, the defendants robbed six Philadelphia pharmacies at gunpoint; and Duran, with co-defendant Raheem Brown, sentenced Wednesday, robbed the A&G Auto Body at 2015 N. 19th Street in Philadelphia. All the defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to distribute the narcotics they stole, and related weapons offenses.

In the A&G Auto Body robbery, a customer was shot in the leg when he failed to give his money to Duran quickly enough. In one pharmacy robbery, the defendants fired gunshots at the victim and neighbors while escaping. In another pharmacy robbery, the defendants forced a pregnant woman to the ground with such force that she was hospitalized for several days.

Bowie, Duran, and Staten were convicted at a second trial of the March 24-25, 2010 abduction and torture of a victim the defendants mistakenly believed to be a drug dealer. Failing to get any proceeds from him, the defendants committed three home invasions and became involved in a gun fight, followed by a high speed chase resulting in their escape. Several days later, Duran and Staten committed the armed robbery of Han’s Deli, located at 1639 Susquehanna Avenue in Philadelphia. Both trials were held in May 2012.

In addition to the prison terms handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Legrome D. Davis, Duran was ordered to pay restitution of $50,000 and a special assessment of $2,500; Bowie was ordered to pay restitution of $66,000 and a special assessment of $2,400.

The pharmacies that were robbed included: the M.D. Pharmacy at 1641 Franklin Street, on February 8, 2010 and February 23, 2012; the Pharmacy of America at 1500 E. Erie, on April 21, 2010; the Ellis Pharmacy at 2441 Brown Street, on April 29, 2012; the Germantown Pharmacy at 5100 Germantown Avenue, on May 7, 2010; and, the Henneberry Pharmacy at 828 N. 24th Street, on May 25, 2010.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk and Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Jamari Buxton.