Blaine Man Sentenced For The Armed Robbery Of A Carver County Convenience Store

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court, a 28-year-old Blaine man was sentenced for committing the December 3, 2011, armed robbery of a convenience store in Mayer, Minnesota. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Demetrius Charles Edward Derden to 170 months in federal prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, pursuant to the Hobbs Act. Derden was indicted on January 10, 2012, and pleaded guilty on August 24, 2012.

On December 3, 2011, Derden stole $2,259 from the Mayer Oil Company while brandishing a weapon. Derden demanded money from the store’s backroom safe. When the clerk told him he did not know the combination to the safe, Derden placed the barrel of the gun against the clerk’s neck and threatened him. A struggle ensued, and the clerk suffered injuries. Derden fled the store, but authorities arrested him a few hours later at his residence. They found some of the stolen money inside a stuffed animal. They also learned that the weapon used was a BB gun.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in places of business that involve interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since the penalties are often tougher than under state law. Furthermore, because the federal system has no parole, those who receive federal sentences serve virtually the entire prison term imposed.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie E. Allyn.