Darrell Pittman, Robbery and Gun Charges, Virginia 2018

State: Virginia
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/federal-fugitive-arrested-robbery-and-firearm-charges" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A 29-year-old fugitive, Darrell Pittman, was arrested in Chesapeake, Virginia, early Saturday for his involvement in a fatal car crash that killed a 78-year-old woman. Pittman, a passenger in the Ford Explorer that struck the victim’s vehicle, fled the scene before he could be apprehended by police on outstanding warrants.

According to allegations in the indictment, Pittman approached a Papa John’s employee on or about July 25, 2018, in Newport News and allegedly took money, pizza, and property from the employee through the threat of force and violence, brandishing a firearm at the employee and demanding the employee’s money and property during the course of the robbery.

Pittman is charged with interference with commerce by robbery, and with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted of the brandishing charge, he faces a mandatory minimum consecutive term of 7 years in prison. If convicted on both counts, Pittman faces a maximum penalty of 27 years in prison.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Pittman is scheduled for a detention hearing Thursday at the federal courthouse in Newport News.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Newport News Police are working together to bring Pittman to justice.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.