Shawan I. Spragans and Merl J. Simpson Sentenced for Bay Area Armed Robbery Spree

Oakland, CA – In a shocking turn of events, two men, Shawan I. Spragans, 41, of Oakland, and Merl J. Simpson, 47, of Antioch, have been sentenced to 23 years and 20 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in a string of armed robberies that terrorized the Bay Area in 2016.

According to court documents, Spragans and his co-conspirators committed the robberies between February 1, 2016, and April 21, 2016. The crimes took place in various locations, including Berkeley pharmacies, restaurants, and a pizzeria in San Francisco.

The armed robberies were marked by violence, with one incident involving a shootout between Spragans and a restaurant employee. During the altercation, Spragans fired a bullet from his revolver, which missed the employee.

The defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy, attempt, and multiple robberies affecting interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), as well as discharging a firearm in furtherance of Hobbs Act robbery, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers handed down the sentences, which also include a five-year term of supervised release for each defendant.

The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Gullotta, is the result of an investigation by the FBI and local police departments.

Spragans and Simpson were arrested on July 7, 2016, and have been in federal custody since their initial appearances in federal court.

The defendants were ordered to pay $2,014 in restitution to the victims of their crimes.

The sentencing brings an end to a long and complex investigation that spanned several months and multiple jurisdictions.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Juan Orellana-Canizales, Identity Theft, California 2022

Jul 1, 2006

Violent Crime

Jonathan Mota, Attempting to Kill a Correctional Officer, California 2017

May 8, 2019

Violent Crime

Williams-English's Web of Deceit Exposed

Jul 1, 2015

Violent Crime

James Faces the Music for Major Crime Spree

Jul 1, 2009