Rochester Woman Sentenced For Role In An Armed Robbery

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 30-year-old Rochester woman was sentenced for her role during an armed robbery at a McDonald’s in Byron, Minnesota. United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced Quiana Shaneea Evans to 130 months in federal prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of aiding and abetting the use, carrying, possessing, and discharging of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Evans was indicted on May 21, 2012, and pleaded guilty on October 2, 2012.

In her plea agreement, Evans admitted that on June 15, 2011, she entered the McDonald’s in Byron, Minnesota, with Christian Aaron Alexander, who was armed with a Colt, .45-caliber pistol. While Alexander brandished the firearm, Evans and Alexander both demanded money from the restaurant employees. They stole approximately $1,851.68, including personal property belonging to the restaurant employees, who were present when Alexander’s firearm discharged. Evans and Alexander ultimately restrained the employees by locking them in a cold storage room.

On December 3, 2012, Alexander, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison on three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, in violation of the Hobbs Act, and one count of brandishing and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in places of business involved in interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of those 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 time imposed.

This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.