Joshua Potter Gets 10 Years for Armed Robbery Spree

Joshua Isaiah Potter, 22, of District Heights, Maryland, is headed to federal prison for a decade after pleading guilty to his role in a string of five armed commercial robberies that terrorized small businesses across Montgomery and Frederick Counties in late December 2016 and early January 2017. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm handed down the 10-year sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, with no chance of parole.

According to court documents, Potter acted as the getaway driver and lookout for co-defendants Deniro Wesley Southern-Robinson and Deandre Denzil Proctor, who stormed into convenience stores and small shops brandishing a silver revolver and a BB gun. Between December 27, 2016, and January 7, 2017, the trio struck locations in Myersville, Frederick, and Bethesda, Maryland, stealing cash and threatening employees at gunpoint. In one incident on December 29, victims were threatened with death if they called police after being shoved and robbed of $517.

On December 27, 2016, Potter drove Proctor and another conspirator to a convenience store where they stole approximately $130. Less than two hours later, the crew hit three more locations. Southern-Robinson flashed the silver revolver while Proctor pointed the BB gun, both masked, and demanded register cash—stealing $232 and $350 in separate robberies. Employees were intimidated, one pushed, and both robbers stuffed cash into pockets and a duffel bag as Potter waited behind the wheel.

The final heist unfolded on January 7, 2017, when Potter drove the pair to a business in Myersville. Southern-Robinson pulled cash from a safe while Proctor pointed the BB gun at an employee’s chest. They fled with $773. Minutes later, law enforcement stopped Potter’s vehicle—traveling directly from the scene. Proctor, in the front passenger seat, wore the same distinctive shoes seen in prior robberies.

A search warrant executed on the car uncovered the silver revolver loaded with four rounds, stashed near the right rear passenger door where Southern-Robinson had been seated. The firearm was confirmed operable, heightening the danger posed to victims. Evidence from surveillance footage, footwear, and the recovered weapon sealed the case against the trio.

“Joshua Potter knowingly chose to be a part of this conspiracy to commit dangerous armed robberies,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “All members of a conspiracy can be held responsible for the actions of all of the conspirators. Potter will now spend 10 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

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