Four men from Los Angeles County found themselves on the wrong side of the law today, after being arrested and indicted for a series of armed robberies targeted at various South Los Angeles businesses. These individuals, identified as Charles Christopher, D’Angelo Spencer, Jordan Leonard, and Tazjar Rouse, are facing charges for their alleged involvement in crimes that stretched from early November to late December of the previous year. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, their antics also extended to social media, where they boasted about their ill-gotten gains.
The indictment, which was unsealed today, charges the group with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and another count of interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act. According to an official release, the defendants are also accused of additional Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing firearms during a crime of violence. Christopher and Leonard have already pleaded not guilty and are awaiting a September 17 trial date.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada issued a stern warning in the wake of the arrests, asserting, "Violent gun crime leaves lasting emotional and psychological scars for victims." He added, "Anyone thinking that violent robberies are a good way to make money should take note that there will be consequences for your actions." A reputed push for enforcement, known as Operation Safe Cities, aims to clamp down on this surge of violence, primarily focusing on the most disruptive perpetrators of violent crime.
Throughout the alleged crime spree, the defendants are accused of taking approximately $7,617, striking mostly at 7-Eleven stores and a CVS in Hollywood. The modus operandi detailed by the indictment involved the use of a BMW to arrive at targets, jumping over counters, and stuffing stolen cash into a black Nike bag. Notably, following a robbery at a South Los Angeles 7-Eleven on November 28, 2023, Leonard boasted on Instagram with a photo of cash, captioning, "love my bros we go hit every time," and tagging his accomplices Christopher and Spencer. If convicted, these men could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each robbery-related count, plus a minimum of seven years for brandishing a firearm, and potentially, life imprisonment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are continuing their investigation into the matter, with Assistant United States Attorney Mirelle N. Raza leading the prosecutorial effort.
