Danial Starr, Armed Robbery, Texas 2024

HOUSTON, Texas - A string of gunpoint robberies in Houston has come to an end with the sentencing of Danial Starr, a 21-year-old man who pleaded guilty to his role in the crimes. On January 27, 2024, Starr and his accomplices targeted three smoke shops and a liquor store in the Houston area, leaving a trail of trauma and fear in their wake.

The robberies were carried out with precision and violence, with Starr and his co-conspirators using firearms to intimidate employees and steal cash and merchandise. The victims of these crimes will carry the memories of these traumatic events with them for the rest of their lives.

Danial Starr's sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who ordered Starr to serve a total of 238 months in federal prison. This sentence is made up of a 70-month term for his involvement in the robberies, and an additional 168 months for the firearms charges, which must be served consecutively.

In addition to his prison sentence, Starr will also be required to pay $1,960 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. This is a small measure of justice for the harm that Starr has caused, but it is an important step in holding him accountable for his actions.

The investigation into Starr's crimes was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Harris County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Rodriguez and Anh-Khoa Tran prosecuted the case, bringing Starr to justice for his role in the robberies.

Starr's accomplices, Calvin Deshazo and Patrick Norman, have also been sentenced for their roles in the crimes. Deshazo, 19, was ordered to serve a total of 112 months in federal prison, while Norman, 20, was sentenced to 33 months.

The case serves as a stark reminder that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities. The people of Houston and the surrounding areas deserve to feel safe and secure, and it is the job of law enforcement and the justice system to ensure that this is the case.

Defendant: Danial Starr, Aiding and Abetting Robbery and Aiding and Abetting the Brandishing of a Firearm during the commission of a crime

Criminal Charges: Two counts of Aiding and Abetting Robbery and two counts of Aiding and Abetting the Brandishing of a Firearm during the commission of a crime

City and State: Houston, Texas

Exact Date: January 27, 2024 (date of the crime), March 20 (date of guilty plea) and July 11 (sentence date)

Sentence or Outcome: Danial Starr was sentenced to 238 months in federal prison, which will be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,960 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.

Dollar Amounts: $1,960 (restitution)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/leader-houston-robbery-crew-sentenced-nearly-20-years