Kansas City, MO – In a brazen attempt to get away with valuables, three Independence residents, Justin M. Epps, Devontae A. Spears and Tairre Y. Matthews, were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a series of armed robberies in Independence, MO.
The trio, all from Independence, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting each other in three armed robberies in late 2011 – at two 7-Eleven stores and a Papa John’s Pizza – in which they used what appeared to be handguns but were actually air pistols.
Epps, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole, while Spears and Matthews, both 20 and 22, respectively, were each sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in federal prison without parole.
The co-defendants were arrested following the robbery of the 7-Eleven convenience store at 11001 E. 23rd St., Independence, on Nov. 3, 2011. On that day, an Independence detective was conducting surveillance on the store and saw Epps and Spears, dressed in black, enter the store. Epps was carrying what appeared to be a handgun and had a back pack.
Epps, wearing a white plastic mask with eye holes, pointed the gun at the clerk, who went to the counter and took money from a cash drawer. The clerk also gave Epps $15 from his wallet. Epps asked for the clerk’s wallet and the clerk gave Epps $15 from his wallet. Epps asked for access to the 7-Eleven safe, which was present behind the counter, but the clerk advised Epps that he could not access the safe.
As they left the store, Epps and Spears were arrested by law enforcement officers who were positioned around the building. Epps was shot by law enforcement officers during his arrest after pointing what appeared to be a gun at them in a threatening manner, and was taken to the hospital. Spears was arrested without incident. Matthews, who was waiting in a vehicle parked nearby, was also arrested without incident.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Davids. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Defendant: Justin M. Epps
Criminal Charges: Aiding and abetting in armed robberies
City and State: Independence, MO
Date: November 3, 2011 (arrest date)
Sentence: 10 years in federal prison without parole
Dollar Amount: $15 (stolen from the clerk’s wallet)
Defendant: Devontae A. Spears
Criminal Charges: Aiding and abetting in armed robberies
City and State: Independence, MO
Date: November 3, 2011 (arrest date)
Sentence: 2 years and 6 months in federal prison without parole
Defendant: Tairre Y. Matthews
Criminal Charges: Aiding and abetting in armed robberies
City and State: Independence, MO
Date: November 3, 2011 (arrest date)
Sentence: 2 years and 6 months in federal prison without parole
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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