NORFOLK, Va. – Christopher Lakeith Williams, 20, of Portsmouth, Va., pleaded guilty today in Norfolk federal court to two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

            Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Williams’ plea was accepted by United States District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.  Williams faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 32 years, and a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on April 27, 2012.   

            According a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Williams was charged with the armed robberies of several convenience stores in the City of Portsmouth in January, 2011.  On each occasion, Williams brandished a silver 9mm semi-automatic handgun at the victim/employees and stole U.S. currency.  Williams later confessed to his commission of these armed robberies to Portsmouth detectives. 

            This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives and the Portsmouth Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell is 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 https://pcl.uscourts.gov.

 

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