RALEIGH, NC – A Durham pair faces serious federal time after being convicted yesterday of a terrifying home invasion robbery that left a victim clinging to life. JAMES THORPE, 25, and JOSHUA MELVIN, 23, were found guilty following a jury trial before Chief Judge James C. Dever, III, on charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, as well as possessing the firearm in furtherance of the robbery.
The pair, along with two unamed co-conspirators, were initially indicted by a federal grand jury back on March 16, 2016, but the case dragged on for years. Prosecutors laid out evidence showing the defendants meticulously planned the robbery, targeting the co-owner and promoter of the Raleigh nightclub Vegas Night Life, hoping to steal the business’s proceeds. The planning wasn’t just about money; it involved a disturbing level of surveillance. The group attached a GPS tracking device to the victim’s vehicle, relentlessly monitoring his movements to pinpoint his home.
On or around March 16, 2015, the quartet descended upon the victim’s Morrisville residence, unleashing a wave of violence. The home invasion wasn’t a simple smash-and-grab; it was a calculated act of terror. Multiple victims were present, including a mother and her young child. The horror escalated when the child was forcibly ripped from her mother’s arms, dragged into a bedroom, and threatened with drowning as the robbers demanded money. When an adult female victim attempted to intervene, she was subjected to a brutal beating.
The intended target wasn’t spared. The victim was shot during the robbery before managing to escape the chaos, jumping from a second-story balcony in a desperate bid for freedom. As if the violence wasn’t enough, the defendants then led law enforcement on a high-speed car chase as they attempted to flee the scene. The chase ended with their capture, but the damage was already done.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Morrisville Police Department, and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Boz Zellinger spearheaded the prosecution, building a case that ultimately led to the convictions of THORPE and MELVIN. Sentencing dates have not yet been announced, but both men face substantial prison time given the severity of the charges and the brutal nature of the crime.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ruthless violence that can accompany organized crime. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on sentencing details as they become available. For more information, visit the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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