LOS ANGELES, CA – Justin Washington, 34, of Gardena, is headed back to prison for decades after a brazen five-day spree of armed robberies across Los Angeles County in late 2020. Washington was sentenced to 27 years – 324 months – in federal prison, a punishment handed down by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson. The sentence doesn’t even *begin* to cover his lifetime commitment, as he’s already facing 75 years to life in state prison for murder.
The feds hit Washington with 10 counts of interference with commerce by robbery, known as the Hobbs Act, and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The crime wave, committed while Washington was on parole for a prior armed robbery conviction, targeted a string of businesses, including a veterinarian’s office, donut shops, a 7-Eleven, a wireless phone store, a dry cleaner, and even a Baskin-Robbins. He pilfered a total of $9,019 in cash and property.
The spree began with back-to-back robberies at the same Gardena grocery store on November 30th and December 1st, 2020. But it wasn’t just theft; Washington escalated quickly. During a robbery at a Torrance donut shop on December 2nd, he brutally struck an employee in the head with his gun, causing bodily injury, and then bound the victim’s hands while he searched for money. The next day, at a South Los Angeles donut shop, he pistol-whipped another employee, inflicting serious injuries, and even attempted to fire his weapon.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada didn’t mince words: “This defendant was a walking crime spree and fully deserving of a major federal prison sentence.” Estrada emphasized that taking down violent repeat offenders like Washington is a top priority for his office. Washington’s history is a textbook example of a career criminal spiraling out of control, having already served a 10-year stint for armed robbery before this latest rampage. Adding insult to injury, less than two months after his release, he allegedly murdered a rival gang member.
Federal authorities partnered with local law enforcement, including the ATF and FBI, to bring Washington to justice. Donald Alway, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated the rampage “terrorized small businesses” and left victims with “lasting trauma.” Michael Hoffman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division, pointed out that the average ATF defendant has a lengthy criminal history – 7.8 prior arrests and over two prior felony convictions. Washington fits that profile perfectly.
The 27-year federal sentence will run *consecutive* to Washington’s 75-years-to-life state prison term for murder, meaning he’s likely facing a lifetime behind bars. He was already in state custody from December 2020 until July 2023, then transferred to federal custody. The court also ordered Washington to pay $9,019 in restitution and a $1,100 special assessment. It’s a small price to pay for the fear and violence he inflicted on the community.
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