Two men from the Quad Cities, Emmanuel Lance Howard, 24, and Evander Allen Jordan, 39, were found guilty on multiple counts on August 23 by a federal jury. The verdict came after a two-week trial in Peoria, Illinois, presided over by Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow. The charges included conspiracy to commit armed robbery and a string of firearm offenses, as detailed in a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Throughout 2020, Howard and Jordan, hailing from Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, respectively, conducted a series of ten armed robberies in the area. Their criminal activities spanned retail stores in Rock Island and Moline, Illinois, as well as robberies in Davenport, Iowa. While committing these crimes, both individuals inflicted violence, shot and pistol-whipped victims, and issued grave threats, leaving a trail of more than 20 traumatized individuals in their wake. A carjacking and the shooting of a man in Rock Island stood among these grievous acts, while a woman fearfully implored for her life during a separate incident. The terrifying ripple effects reached a mother who worried her child might overhear the violence transpiring across the street.
Their arrest followed a comprehensive investigation by local and federal agencies, including the Rock Island, Davenport, and Moline police departments and the ATF and FBI. According to U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris, "These two defendants terrorized the Quad Cities community in 2020 by committing ten separate armed robberies without any regard for human life or the law." The U.S. Attorney underscored the importance of the jury's verdict, which holds the defendants accountable and expressed gratitude towards the involved agencies for their work in bringing the case to a conclusion.
Aiding in the investigation were the tireless efforts of multiple agencies on both state and federal levels, which were crucial in the apprehension of Howard and Jordan. The Moline Police Department's Chief of Police, Darren Gault, and ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division praised the cooperative nature of this effort. In a sentiment echoing the thoughts of his law enforcement counterparts, Gault acclaimed the unwavering partnership and coordination, stating, "The Quad Cities should be proud of the remarkable work being done by these men and women in law enforcement and at the United States Attorney’s Office," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In terms of sentencing, the penalties facing Howard and Jordan are severe, given the nature of the crimes. Howard is subjected to a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 45 years to life for the firearm offenses alone, while Jordan's prior felony record for firearm possession during a crime of violence increases his mandatory minimum to 63 years. The sentences for the conspiracy and robbery offenses are up to 20 years, and the carjacking charge could carry up to 15 years. The penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon could add up to 10 more years. These penalties reflect the severity and impact of their extensive criminal actions endured by the community.
