Tuscaloosa Man Sentenced to Prison for 15 Years for Two Armed Robberies in Tuscaloosa
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Tuscaloosa man for two armed robberies in Tuscaloosa, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Ladarius Maurice Watson, 23, Tuscaloosa, to 180 months in prison and for Hobbs Act Robbery and carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime. Watson pled guilty in July 2019.
“The safety of many innocent people was threatened during this string of armed robberies in Tuscaloosa,” Town said. “These crimes are far too prevalent in the Northern District and thus our local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will remain the phalanx to not only police violent crime but defeat it.”
“ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence partnerships with the Tuscaloosa Police Department as part of Project Guardian, continue to focus on reducing violent crime by those individuals who commit armed robberies,” Watson said.
“This case involved several violent individuals armed with firearms,” said Captain Brad Mason, Tuscaloosa Police Department. Through the great partnership we have with the ATF and the US Attorney’s Office, we are able to get them off of the street for the maximum amount of time. By doing this, we are best serving the citizens of our community and state. We are fortunate and glad to have a great relationship with these agencies, and we appreciate the hard work that was put in by all. We hope to continue this relationship, continue to convict these violent criminals who perpetuate gun crimes, and make our streets safer.”
According to evidence at the trial of Jemarkus Thompson, Watson and Rodgers robbed the two stores at gun point using an assault style rifle, while Thompson remained in the vehicle. Watson, Rodgers and Thompson were stopped by Tuscaloosa police minutes after the robberies, where evidence of both crimes was found in their possession, including money, receipts, and the firearms.
Quartaius Deandrew Rodgers, 24, pled guilty in July 2019. In November 2019, U.S. District Court L. Scott Coogler sentenced Rodgers to 95 months in prison for Hobbs Act Robbery and carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime.
Jemarkus Vonsha Thompson was convicted in October 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2020.
ATF investigated the case along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, which Assistant U.S Attorney Brad Felton and Allison Garnett prosecuted.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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