Jamal L. Vassie, Armed Robbery Conspiracy, Missouri 2016

Kansas City Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery Conspiracy

A Kansas City, Missouri man has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Jamal L. Vassie, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on August 16, 2016, after being convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, the armed robbery of Public Storage at 9820 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo., and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to court documents, Vassie and his co-conspirators participated in the robbery of five hotels, two storage facilities, a cellphone store, a bank, and three carjackings. This was not Vassie's first run-in with the law, as he had been on parole for four months at the time of this offense for a prior state conviction for the armed robbery of a Papa John's Pizza.

Two other defendants, Randolph E. Wells and Gary S. Dorch, were also sentenced in connection with this case. Wells was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole on September 18, 2015, while Dorch received a five-year sentence on July 22, 2015. Sergio A. Rascoe, a fourth defendant, pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort between the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Independence, Mo., Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Edwards and Matthew A. Moeder are prosecuting the case.

On the day of the Public Storage robbery, Rascoe and Dorch used a stolen vehicle to commit the crime. Dorch held the clerk at gunpoint while demanding cash, the clerk's wallet, and the clerk's cellphone. Vassie and Wells were waiting nearby, prepared to pick up Rascoe and Dorch if they were involved in a pursuit with the police.

Rascoe and Dorch were eventually apprehended after leading police officers on an extended chase through residential neighborhoods. Rascoe collided with a truck during the pursuit, allowing police to take both defendants into custody.

Despite the lengthy sentence, this case serves as a reminder of the severity of armed robbery and the consequences of such crimes. The people of Missouri deserve to feel safe in their communities, and it is the duty of law enforcement to ensure that those who commit such crimes are held accountable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/kc-man-sentenced-armed-robbery-conspiracy-1