Man Ordered to Pay Restitution for His Role in a $160,000 Heist Involving Firearm Discharge
A member of the “Chesapeake Bandits” was sentenced to 166 months in federal prison for acting as a lookout in an armed robbery of an armored truck, which netted the group over $160,000 and involved the discharge of a firearm.
James Russell Davis, 35, from Los Angeles’ West Adams neighborhood, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha. Davis was also ordered to pay $166,640 in restitution. He had pleaded guilty on February 16 to charges of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He has been in federal custody since March 2023.
“When people commit crimes with guns, tragedies happen,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “This is why it is so important that we bring the weight of federal prosecution against the perpetrators of violent gun crime. My office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to make our cities safer.”
“Imagine the terror of being pulled to the ground with a gun pointed at your head. Davis and his accomplices violently ambushed an individual just doing his job so they could make off with other people’s money,” said Krysti Hawkins, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “This significant sentence cannot undo the emotional and psychological damage inflicted on the victim, but we hope it sends a clear message that we will continue to pursue the most violent and persistent offenders and hold them accountable for their blatant disregard for human life and the safety of our communities.”
“I am proud of the work and dedication of our investigators and the unwavering support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office as we work together to stop criminals who take away the feeling of safety in our communities,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic H. Choi.
In February 2022, Davis and a co-conspirator scoped out a credit union in Hawthorne and planned to ambush the truck driver after servicing an ATM. Weeks later, they executed their plan. Davis maintained a lookout while his partners, armed with an AR-style rifle and a semi-automatic handgun, ambushed the driver. One conspirator pressed a gun to the victim’s head, forced him to the ground, and took his service pistol. The robbers stole bags containing $166,640 in cash. During the heist, a co-conspirator fired a handgun.
Deneyvous Jayan Hobson, 38, also from West Adams and the lead defendant, pleaded not guilty to charges including Hobbs Act conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. His trial is set for September 3.
Operation Safe Cities targets significant drivers of violent crime, focusing on prosecuting the most violent offenders. This approach aims to improve public safety by targeting crimes involving illicit guns and robbery crews.
The FBI, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Hawthorne Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Butler, Jena A. MacCabe, and Jason C. Pang are prosecuting.
