Charlotte Gunman Gets 14 Years for Robbery Spree

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jamaris Ladell Smith, 36, of Charlotte, is headed to federal prison for 14 years after pleading guilty to a brazen string of armed robberies that terrorized Charlotte businesses over two days in January 2023. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, announced the sentence today, a clear message that violent crime won’t be tolerated.

The crime spree began on January 17, 2023, at the Sam’s Mart on Sharon Road. Smith, decked out in a denim jacket with a fake fur collar and a red and blue knit cap, allegedly leveled a handgun at the store clerk, demanding cash. Witnesses say Smith warned the clerk, chillingly stating she’d be killed if she made the wrong move. He didn’t stop there. The next day, Smith hit the Walgreens on E WT Harris Blvd. sporting a denim jacket emblazoned with the words “Empty Promises” – a grim irony, considering his actions. He again brandished a handgun, counting down from five to intimidate the clerk into handing over the money.

The same day, Smith continued his rampage, robbing the CVS on The Plaza. He pulled a gun, issuing the standard threat: “Don’t move and don’t scream. Give me everything you got.” Surveillance footage revealed Smith fleeing in a vehicle after each robbery. Later that evening, the Circle K on Randolph Road and the 7-Eleven on Old Concord Road were also targeted, Smith consistently wielding a handgun and threatening employees. The final stop in his two-day spree was the Burger King on Sharon Road, where he forced an employee into the office and demanded cash from the registers.

Investigators quickly pieced together the evidence, reviewing surveillance footage from each location and identifying Smith as the perpetrator. The distinctive clothing – the “Empty Promises” jacket, the fur-collared denim jacket – proved crucial. A search of Smith’s residence recovered the incriminating garments. The handgun used in the robberies was found in his vehicle. The evidence was overwhelming.

On February 16, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to six counts of Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The Hobbs Act addresses robberies and extortion that affect interstate commerce. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. emphasized the need to send a strong message and promote respect for the law. Smith will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his 14-year sentence. He is currently in custody awaiting transfer to a designated federal facility.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Charlotte field office, led by Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) under Chief Johnny Jennings. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by retail workers and the dedication of law enforcement to bringing violent offenders to justice.