Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 8 ½ Years for Gunpoint Robbery of North Broad Convenience Store
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Antoine Jordan-Harris, 22, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Karen S. Marston for his participation in a robbery of a 7-Eleven convenience store during a period of civil unrest in Philadelphia.
In April 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The charges arose from an incident in the early morning hours of October 27, 2020, when the defendant—armed with a baseball bat and a handgun—entered a 7-Eleven on North Broad Street. Moments later, and without provocation, the defendant lifted his bat and proceeded to strike and break a television and multiple displays throughout the store. With the baseball bat in his left hand, the defendant approached the checkout counter and removed a handgun from his hoodie pocket. The defendant raised the handgun at the cashier who ducked behind the counter for cover. Then, the defendant reached over the counter, pointed the handgun at the cashier, and demanded the money from the store register. The defendant continued to point the handgun at the cashier and began to count down from 10 while the cashier struggled to empty the registers. After receiving the money, the defendant fled from the store.
“The defendant was so determined to rob this store that he came prepared to terrify and intimidate with two different weapons,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “His complete disregard for other people and for the law is appalling. Hopefully others will learn from the example set by this case -- if you rob a store in Philadelphia with a firearm, you are going to face serious federal prison time as a result. Our Office is committed to being ‘All Hands On Deck’ working with our law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice.”
“As a result of this sentencing, Philadelphia is a safer place for our citizens,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “This incredibly violent crime is exactly what ATF, and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating. We will continue to identify the most violent offenders and see they are held accountable for their heinous acts.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Roberta Benjamin and Lauren Stram.
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