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Des Moines Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery
A Des Moines man was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison yesterday for his convictions in connection with an armed robbery that resulted in the death of one victim.
Sam Sando, 27, was found guilty of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, attempted possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sando planned an armed robbery of a quarter pound of marijuana and recruited an accomplice, Salifou Sahr. On January 9, 2022, Sando lured the victims to an apartment complex for a purported drug deal, intending to rob the victims of marijuana.
Sando and Sahr surrounded the victim’s car, and each fired three rounds into the car. One victim, Trishay Thompson, was struck and later died.
On August 7, 2024, following a two-day trial, a federal jury found Sando guilty of the aforementioned charges.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Sando will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Sahr, Sando’s accomplice, was previously convicted of murder in the first degree, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of robbery in the first degree in the Iowa District Court for Polk County and was sentenced to life in prison in November 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities.
The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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