Baltimore Gunman Gets 26 Years for Tri-State Heist

Baltimore’s Keith Poynter Jr. will spend the next quarter-century in federal prison after a jury convicted him of orchestrating three gunpoint robberies in a single day. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher didn’t show leniency, slapping Poynter with a 26-year sentence, plus five years of supervised release. The 29-year-old’s spree terrorized businesses across Baltimore City and County in December 2019, and the feds made an example of him.

The robberies weren’t just smash-and-grabs. Poynter, along with accomplices Benjamin Bunn Jr. and Tiffany Gardner, actively used those firearms. In one incident, at a jewelry store on Howard Street, Poynter opened fire. While no one was seriously injured, the blatant disregard for life clearly influenced the judge. The crew then hit a Security Square Mall jewelry store and a pawn shop on Reisterstown Road, brandishing weapons and demanding valuables.

Federal prosecutors laid out a clear conspiracy case, proving Poynter wasn’t acting alone. Bunn, 37, copped a plea just days before the trial, likely hoping for a reduced sentence in exchange for cooperation. Gardner’s involvement remains less clear, but she was also named as a conspirator. Bunn’s sentencing is slated for September 6th. Gardner’s fate is still pending.

The haul from the robberies included jewelry and other merchandise, though the exact value hasn’t been publicly disclosed. What’s undeniable is the fear inflicted on the store employees present during each incident. They were forced to comply with armed demands, enduring a terrifying ordeal. The feds highlighted this trauma in their sentencing memorandum.

This case was a key part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime. The FBI, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore County Police Department all contributed to the investigation, demonstrating a coordinated effort to take down dangerous criminals. Prosecutor John W. Sippel, Jr. led the charge, securing a conviction that sends a message: armed robbery won’t be tolerated.

Poynter was represented by Marcia Lubin, whose office didn’t respond to requests for comment. The 26-year sentence is a substantial penalty, and a grim reminder of the consequences facing those who choose to prey on Baltimore businesses with firearms. The feds are hoping this conviction will deter others from following suit, but in a city plagued by violence, it’s likely just a temporary reprieve.