Man Convicted of Armed Robberies, Carjacking

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Washington, D.C. man today for his participation in three armed robberies and an armed carjacking.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Lamont Kortez Gaines, 28, participated in the armed robbery of an Advance America Cash Advance store in Alexandria and two 7-Eleven convenience stores in Arlington. In addition, Gaines participated in an armed carjacking in Alexandria. Three of Gaines’ co-conspirators—Andrew Bernard Duncan, 27, Desmar Rashad Gayles, 25, and Anton Durrell Harris, 27, all of Washington, D.C.—previously pleaded guilty to charges of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence.

Gaines was convicted of conspiring to obstruct commerce by robbery, obstructing commerce by robbery, carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces up to life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 82 years in prison when sentenced on April 27. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Michael L. Brown, Alexandria Chief of Police, Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, M. Jay Farr, Arlington County Chief of Police, Henry P. Stawinski III, Chief of Prince George’s County Police, and Peter Newsham, Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Blanchard and Rebeca H. Bellows are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-106.