James Raiford, Armed Robbery Spree, Louisiana 2020

NEW ORLEANS – In a shocking turn of events, James Raiford, a 26-year-old man from New Orleans, was sentenced to a total of 194 months for his involvement in a string of armed robberies that took place in April 2018.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Raiford robbed five businesses, including three Boost Mobile stores, a Dollar General store, and a Kwik Pik gas station and convenience store, while in possession of a firearm. During each robbery, Raiford brandished firearms and threatened harm to the victims.

Raiford was identified by NOPD detectives from surveillance camera footage recovered from the stores. A search of his cellular telephone showed that he researched the robberies after he committed them.

Raiford was sentenced to 74 months for multiple violations of Hobbs Act Robbery, and one count of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery. He was also sentenced to 120 months, to run consecutive to the 74-month sentence, for violating the Federal Gun Control Act.

After the completion of his sentence, Raiford will be on supervised release for a period of 3 years.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-man-sentenced-armed-robbery-spree