A Knoxville native will see nearly a half-century behind bars after a federal judge handed down a hefty sentence for a violent crime spree. DeShawn Whited, 26, was sentenced to 45.5 years in prison on Friday for a series of armed robberies and a carjacking that terrorized local businesses in January 2021, reported WBIR.
The January 18 conviction came after evidence, including surveillance footage and cell phone tracking, proved Whited guilty of targeting an array of establishments—robbing employees at gunpoint at businesses such as an EZ Stop, a Waffle House, and a Pilot Travel Center. Whited, already a convicted felon, added carjacking to his criminal resume during the same period, as referenced by WATE.
The Department of Justice release stated Whited was convicted on multiple counts, including four counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, a count of attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, carjacking, four counts of brandishing a gun during and a count of illegal possession of a firearm. After completing his 546-month sentence, Whited is slated for a five-year term of supervised release.
Victims from each frightening encounter testified at the trial, their testimonies aiding in the decisive guilty verdict. His streak of violent antics came to an end with law enforcement's diligent work and the compelling array of evidence laid before the court. Whited's extensive sentence reflects an unyielding response to a string of crimes that shook the Knoxville community to its core.
