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An Indianapolis man faces three decades in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to robbing six city businesses in less than two weeks during a 2023 armed robbery spree.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Javonte Smith, 34, of Indianapolis, to 30 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on six counts of interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Smith robbed six businesses between Nov. 21 and Dec. 2, 2023, stealing a total of $14,797 in cash while often armed with a handgun.
The businesses included: Family Dollar outlets on West and East 38th Street, McDonald’s on N. Emerson Avenue, Walmart stores on Fall Creek Drive and N. Keystone Avenue and Kroger on E. 16th Street.
Following the final robbery on Dec. 2, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers followed Smith to a Motel 6 and arrested him.
He was found wearing distinct shoes, black pants, and a blue dress that matched what the robber was seen wearing on surveillance footage during several of the robberies, authorities said.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found additional disguises used in the crimes, including a black coat and black wig, medical mask, sunglasses, black gloves, a black puffer jacket, a brown coat, and a blue hooded sweatshirt. Officers also recovered a black Taurus handgun and the keys to a recently stolen GMC Terrain.
At the time of his arrest, Smith had previously been convicted of multiple felonies including resisting law enforcement, fraud on a financial institution, robbery, and two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. These prior felony convictions prohibit Smith from ever legally possessing a firearm.
“This defendant terrorized hard-working people just trying to do their jobs and earn a living,” Tom Wheeler, interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a news release. “Thanks to the swift work of our law enforcement partners, his violent crime spree was brought to an end, and he will now face serious federal prison time.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case.
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