MADISON, WI – A Janesville man is headed to federal prison for a brazen string of armed robberies that stretched across three Wisconsin cities in a single three-day period. Devonti Wilson, 38, was sentenced today to 13 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to armed robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime. The sentence comes after a federal investigation into Wilson’s September 2020 crime spree.
The chaos began on September 8, 2020, with a robbery at a Lion’s Quick Mart in Janesville. According to court documents, Wilson didn’t just demand money; he leveled a gun at the store clerk, threatening, “Hurry up or you’ll die.” He made off with cash and cigarettes, kicking off a three-hour rampage that included robberies at a Kelley Williamson Mobil in Fitchburg and a 7-Eleven in Madison. An attempt to rob a BP station in Madison also occurred during this initial wave.
Wilson didn’t stop there. On September 10, 2020, he hit Janesville again, committing four more armed robberies within a single hour. Kwik Trip, another Lion’s Quick Mart, a Tigermart Exxon, and a Walgreens all fell victim to his threats and gun. In each incident, Wilson brandished a firearm at terrified employees, turning routine transactions into moments of sheer terror.
Police caught up with Wilson shortly after the final robbery, finding him in a vehicle near his home. The search turned up damning evidence: bait bills from one of the robbed convenience stores, cash, cartons of cigarettes, and, critically, a loaded 9mm firearm. The discovery cemented the case against him, especially given his already extensive criminal history.
Federal prosecutors highlighted Wilson’s prior convictions and active state supervision for a 2018 robbery with use of force. This wasn’t a first offense; it was a continuation of a pattern of violent behavior. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley, during sentencing, pointedly noted that the relatively small amounts of money stolen were overshadowed by the sheer terror Wilson inflicted on his victims. “No prior sentence had deterred Wilson from committing additional crimes,” Conley stated, justifying the lengthy prison term.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Janesville, Fitchburg, and Madison Police Departments, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by coordinating law enforcement efforts and targeting gun-related offenses. Wilson’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of escalating violence and the dedication of federal and local agencies to bringing perpetrators to justice.
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