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Armed Business Robberies Rock Memphis
David Gatewood, a 44-year-old Memphis man, has been sentenced to 390 months in federal prison for two brazen armed business robberies. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the lengthy sentence in a press conference today.
According to court records, Gatewood committed the first armed robbery on April 18, 2017, at the MAPCO Express gas station located at 1723 Jackson Avenue in Memphis. Armed with a revolver, Gatewood shot a store employee during the heist, which netted him an estimated $300.
The violent robber then struck again at Seguros La Ley, an insurance company, on April 21, 2017, using the same revolver to make off with the cash. Gatewood fled the scene, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in his wake.
Gatewood pleaded guilty on July 20, 2018, to two counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant expressed his outrage at the senseless violence, stating, ‘Robberies of businesses with a firearm are especially dangerous and violent due to the high risk of death and serious bodily injury to innocent victims. Business robberies also have a substantially negative impact on the local economy and commerce, which victimizes the entire community.’
Gatewood’s crimes have earned him a 390-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Reagan Taylor prosecuting on behalf of the government.
As Memphis residents continue to reel from the aftermath of these violent robberies, authorities vow to keep the community safe and bring justice to those responsible. The sentence handed down to David Gatewood serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such heinous crimes.
The people of Memphis can rest a little easier knowing that Gatewood will spend decades behind bars, separated from the community he terrorized. This case is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors to keep our streets safe and bring violent offenders to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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