Gang Members Convicted of Gas Station Robbery Spree

Montgomery, Alabama – Three individuals with links to the Crip street gang in Montgomery have been convicted in federal court for a series of armed robberies, announced George L. Beck Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.   Tremane Darnell Carthen (37), Kevin Levarius Martin (27), and Scottie Jeroma Groce (26), all of Montgomery, were either members of or associated with the gang and took part in robberies occurring in in North Elmore County, Wetumpka, and Autauga County in July 2014.

The three were indicted for conspiracy, robbery, and firearms charges in November 2015.  Following the indictment, Martin pleaded guilty to conspiracy, robbery of a convenience store, and brandishing a firearm during the robbery.

Following a trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts Thursday against Groce and Carthen after finding that they conspired with Martin to rob the three convenience stores.  Evidence presented at trial also showed that Carthen and Groce pointed firearms at the cashiers while committing the robberies.

The defendants face a sentence of up to life imprisonment and are expected to be sentenced in December 2016.

“These three went into a convenience store, stuck a gun in the cashier’s face, and robbed the store.  They did this three times,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck.  “These illegal gun-toters need to be taken off the streets in order to keep our communities safe and I commend law enforcement for their hard work in this case.”

“This focused investigation will have a lasting impact on reducing firearms related violence spanning multiple counties,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Steve Gerido.  “This result demonstrates the continued collaboration by ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners to identify the violent criminals who lessen the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department, the Wetumpka Police Department, the Autauga County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Susan R. Redmond and Steven Lee.