The streets of State College were shaken in 2013 when Kranich’s Jewelry Store fell victim to a brazen armed robbery. On January 9, 2013, Rodger Kent Williams, 41, and his accomplices stormed into the store, ordering employees to hand over display case keys and valuables. Williams brandished a .357 revolver, leaving no doubt about the gravity of the situation.
The investigation, led by the State College Police Department, the Cary, North Carolina Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia and Charlotte Divisions, was a long and arduous one. Williams was finally apprehended in North Carolina, where he had also robbed J.M. Edwards Fine Jewelry on January 28, 2013, in Cary.
Williams, now facing the music, pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by violence, use and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and interference with commerce by robbery. United States Attorney Peter J. Smith praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina for their assistance in coordinating the transfer of charges to Pennsylvania.
The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel. Judge Matthew W. Brann ordered a presentence investigation and set the case for a presentence conference on March 20, 2014, when sentencing will be scheduled. The maximum penalty under the federal statute is life imprisonment and a fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Brann will consider the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense, as well as Williams’ history and characteristics, before determining the sentence. The statutory maximum penalty is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Williams’ actions have left a lasting impact on the community, and his guilty plea serves as a reminder of the severity of such crimes. The people of State College and North Carolina can take comfort in knowing that justice is being served.
The case serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators to justice. As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant, knowing that those who commit such crimes will be held accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- Lorenzo Roscoe, Armed Convenience Store Robbery, Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- United States v Booker, Armed Robbery, Virginia 2023 · North Carolina
- Campbell Cousins, Armed Robbery, Virginia 2017 · Virginia
- Business Owner Kidnapping and Murder, Pennsylvania 2018 · Pennsylvania
- Robert Vaughn Evans, Bank Robbery, Minnesota 2024 · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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