COLUMBUS, OH – Juarvez Reemos Juan Whitfield-Neeley, 25, of Toledo, will spend the next decade behind bars after being sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for a violent armed robbery spree that spanned two cities and left three people shot. The sentence, handed down in U.S. District Court, adds to a substantial existing sentence Whitfield-Neeley is already serving for related crimes in Toledo.
The crime spree began on March 15, 2020, at the Berkeley & Main Market in Columbus. Whitfield-Neeley brazenly opened fire on the store clerk, striking them in the back of the knee. A struggle ensued, during which a handgun belonging to the clerk fell to the floor. Whitfield-Neeley didn’t hesitate – he stole the clerk’s weapon and fled the scene, leaving a trail of fear and a victim nursing a gunshot wound.
Just two weeks later, Whitfield-Neeley took his violence north to Toledo. This time, he targeted a corner store, unleashing a volley of gunfire at two clerks. Both men were struck in the torso. Undeterred by the injuries he inflicted, Whitfield-Neeley stole a firearm from one of the wounded clerks and emptied the cash register before making his escape.
Federal prosecutors say Whitfield-Neeley was charged in the Southern District of Ohio for the Columbus robbery and shooting in June 2020. He was later apprehended in the Northern District of Ohio, where he pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from the Toledo incident and received a 207-month prison sentence. This latest sentence of 121 months will be served consecutively to that existing term, meaning Whitfield-Neeley faces a lengthy stretch in federal custody.
“For the sake of a few dollars, Whitfield-Neeley forever altered the life of at least three victims through gun violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The resulting federal cases against him should send a clear message to Whitfield-Neeley and others that it is not worth it, and you will ultimately pay by serving time in federal prison.” The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Columbus Police Department, led by Chief Elaine Bryant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Twombly and Elizabeth A. Geraghty secured the conviction and sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the dedication of federal agencies to bringing perpetrators to justice. Whitfield-Neeley’s actions have not only devastated his victims but also underscored the ongoing threat posed by armed robbery and the illegal use of firearms in Ohio communities.
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