Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Two Cleveland men were each sentenced this week to more than 33 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for multiple armed robberies of MetroPCS stores in the Cleveland area. 

“When you point guns at the heads of robbery victims and threaten them with imminent violence, not just once, not just twice, but three and four times, then you can expect to go to jail for a long time,” said United States Attorney Justin Herdman.  “These two men will each spend more than three decades in federal prison. Let this sentence send the message to those who would seek to prey upon our neighbors – we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will be in prison for many years.”

“There is no place in our community for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.  “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal levels to bring those individuals to justice.”

According to evidence presented during trial and at sentencing, on November 19, 2019, Shawn Ford (20), and Charles Rogers (24), both of Cleveland, Ohio, used firearms to rob the following MetroPCS stores: 10959 Kinsman Road, on March 21, 2018; 11100 Lorain Avenue, on March 25, 2018; and 5853 Broadway Avenue, on March 27, 2018.  They also attempted to rob the MetroPCS store at 14701 Kinsman Road, on March 27, 2018. 

On March 21, 2018, both defendants entered the MetroPCS store wielding pistols.  One pistol had an extended magazine, holding a large amount of ammunition. The defendants threatened and became physically aggressive with a handicapped victim who had difficulty getting down on the ground during the robbery.  One defendant also placed his pistol to the back of the store manager’s head when he did not provide money quickly enough and did not have the phones defendants’ demanded. 

On March 25, 2018, both defendants entered the MetroPCS store, one armed with a pistol.  The store was busy during this time, with at least five customers and two employees present.  During this robbery, one defendant pointed his pistol at the head of an employee and threatened to kill him. 

On March 27, 2018, the defendants attempted to rob the MetroPCS store at 14701 Kinsman Road.  The sole employee present that day struggled to pull the door closed when he saw the defendants approach in all black clothing and hoodies that covered their faces.  After this failed attempt, the defendants moved onto the MetroPCS located at 5853 Broadway Ave.  During this robbery, one employee was kicked in the stomach when he did not respond to the defendants’ demands quickly enough.  Also during this incident, an off-duty Cleveland Police Officer happened to be in the store.  Ford fired nine shots at the officer as the officer attempted to apprehend them.  The officer was not injured.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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.  PSN was reinvigorated 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.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Crime Strategies Unit.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Galvin and Margaret Kane and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleina Thomas.

###