A Maryland man was sentenced on April 28 to 13 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of armed robberies, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman handed down the sentence to Derek Lynn Davis, age 36, of Greenbelt, Maryland. Davis will also serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison term. He was convicted of interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Prosecutors said Davis and co-conspirators stole more than $3,000 from several businesses and threatened nine victims during their crime spree.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul from the FBI Baltimore Field Office; and Chief George Nader from Prince George’s County Police Department announced the sentencing.
Court documents show that between July and August 2023, Davis participated with different accomplices in six armed business robberies—sometimes robbing more than one location per day. The group typically entered establishments with firearms drawn and demanded access to cash registers while victims complied out of fear for their safety. In one instance, an accomplice discharged a firearm near two victims as they opened a register.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice launched its current violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021 under PSN’s core principles: building community trust; supporting organizations working on violence prevention; focusing enforcement efforts strategically; and measuring results.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland is part of the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website. The office serves nearly six million residents across Maryland according to its official website and employs over 200 personnel across civil, criminal, and administrative divisions according to its official website. It prosecutes federal crimes—including those involving public safety—and handles civil cases on behalf of the government according to its official website. The office traces its origins back to legislation enacted in 1789 according to its official website.
Hayes said she commended both the FBI Baltimore Field Office and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work investigating this case.
