Two people have been sentenced for their roles in a series of violent armed robberies targeting pharmacies across Southern California.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on Dec. 6, Diavion Deshawna Mouton, 23, of Carson, and Rodney Dallin Maxwell Evans, 23, of Vermont Square, were sentenced to death by a jury after a four-day trial. was convicted of.
Moutin and Evans are believed to have been joined by at least five other suspects in the robbery spree.
Makai Yusef Sanders, 23, of Hathorne Kenyatta Kamal Jones, 23, of Hawthorne Adrian Timothy Bedran, 24, of Rosemead DeAngel Darryl Alvarez, 24, of Rosemead Kevin Antoine Gadley (20 years old, also known as “Mac”), resident of the Athens area of South Los Angeles, “One Shot” of San Fernando
The robberies occurred over a six-week period from August 9, 2023 to September 19, 2023, in Long Beach, Bellflower, South Los Angeles, Pasadena, Whittier, Lakewood, Monterey Park, Burbank, and Glendale.
“Mr. Mouton served as the driver while Mr. Sanders and Mr. Jones robbed the store,” court documents state.
Multiple firearms were brandished and store employees were forced to open the store’s safe during two robberies at Rite Aid stores in Bellflower and Vermont Square on Aug. 14, 2023, officials said. said.
Evans and his accomplices that day, Sanders and Jones, fled with a total of $12,410.
According to court documents, on Sept. 19, 2023, Mouton was involved in two armed robberies at a Walgreens store in Glendale and a Wingstop restaurant in Lynnwood.
She served as the getaway driver in both robberies in which Mr. Sanders and Mr. Jones brandished firearms and stole approximately $1,776 from businesses.
During the Walgreens incident, Sanders and Jones robbed a customer who was paying at the register. They held them at gunpoint and stole their iPhones. They threatened the clerk at gunpoint and forced him to lead them to the store’s safe.
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In addition to cash, the suspects also stole four iPhones from nearby customers before fleeing the store.
A few days later, on September 26, 2023, detectives tracked down and arrested Mr. Sanders, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Mouton. Officials said during the arrest they found evidence linking him to the robbery.
Evans and Mouton were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
They will face sentences ranging from 14 years to life in prison at a sentencing hearing on March 31, 2025.
Mr. Sanders and Mr. Jones pleaded guilty on November 26 to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
In plea agreements, both men admitted to committing 12 armed robberies of local businesses. They face sentences ranging from seven years to life in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 17, 2025.
A fourth suspect, Adrian Timothy Bedran, 24, pleaded guilty on September 9 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. He remains free on $50,000 bail and awaits sentencing on January 13, 2025.
A fifth suspect, DeAngel Darryl Alvarez, 24, also known as “Mac,” is believed to be a fugitive, and a sixth suspect, Kevin Antwon Gadley, 20, is facing unrelated charges. He remains in state custody.
“Violent gun crimes leave emotional scars that last for years,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Through the Operation Safe Cities Initiative, my office is working with local law enforcement agencies to increasingly prosecute cases that hold accountable those who choose to harm our communities. .”
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, Glendale Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Inglewood Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, and Monterey Park Police Department. . Whittier Police Department and Burbank Police Department.
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