Deon Bell, Armed Robbery, Michigan 2022

A brazen daylight robbery at a T-Mobile store in downtown Ann Arbor has landed a Michigan man behind bars for the next 8 ½ years. Deon Bell, 27, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds for robbing the T-Mobile store on October 10, 2022.

Bell, who has a long history of violent crimes, walked into the store in the middle of the afternoon, pulling out what appeared to be a gun and demanding that the two employees take him to the safe. He stole approximately $9,000 in smartphones and smartwatches, as well as $381 from the register.

But the employees were not your average civilians. They had given Bell a decoy phone, which allowed law enforcement to track him from the T-Mobile store to the location where he resold the stolen goods.

This was not Bell’s first run-in with the law. He has a history of drug dealing, carrying a concealed weapon, and criminal sexual conduct 3rd degree, among other crimes.

“Violence has no place in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “Pulling a gun on people just trying to make a living is a cowardly act, and our office is committed to taking dangerous people off the streets.”

Bell’s sentence is his longest to date, and officials are hoping it will serve as a warning to others.

This case was investigated by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan Bean, Erin Ramamurthy, and Hank Moon. The Ann Arbor Police Department and Michigan State Police also played key roles in the investigation.

“Mr. Bell’s violent behavior has no place in our community. Actions have consequences. Period. End of story. The moral of this story is: Use an illegal firearm to commit violent acts, and you should pack your bags for a very long and hopefully “blessed” stay in prison,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir.

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