December 23, 2009
TWO FRESNO MEN CONVICTED IN SPREE OF 30 ARMED ROBBERIES
FRESNO, Calif.–United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner,Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)Special Agent in Charge Stephen Herkins, Fresno County DistrictAttorney Elizabeth A. Egan, and Fresno Chief of Police Jerry Dyerannounced today that a jury returned a guilty verdict againstMARCUS MAJOR, 24, and JORDAN HUFF, 25, both of Fresno on allcounts of a 62-count indictment following a six week trial.MAJOR and HUFF were charged with conspiracy to interfere withcommerce by robbery, conspiracy to possess firearms infurtherance of a crime of violence, six counts of using, carryingand discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime ofviolence, 24 counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearmduring and in relation to a crime of violence, and 30 counts ofinterference with commerce by robbery.
The charges against these defendants arose as a result of aninvestigation by the Fresno Police Department, joined by theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of a seriesof armed robberies that occurred in Fresno and Madera between December 24, 2005 and July 24, 2006. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal Service, the MaderaSheriff’s Office, and the Madera Police Department assisted inthe investigation.
The investigation culminated with the indictment on June 14,2007, of MARCUS MAJOR, 24, JORDAN HUFF, 25, KEITH ROSE, 22,VICTOR MURRAY, 22, PORCHA NEAL, 20, and DAMIEN RIDEAUX, 22, andDWAYNE PERRY, 21, all of Fresno, for various federal crimes.VICTOR MURRAY pleaded guilty to two counts of using, carrying andbrandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime ofviolence. As a result, he is facing a maximum of lifeimprisonment, and a mandatory minimum of 32 years imprisonment,and is pending sentencing. KEITH ROSE pleaded guilty toconspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery andone count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during andin relation to a crime of violence. As a result, he is facing amaximum of life imprisonment, and has agreed to request asentence of 25 years imprisonment, and is pending sentencing. As a result of their convictions today, HUFF and MAJOR are facing amaximum of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of over 700years imprisonment.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Sanchez andKathy Servatius who prosecuted the case, the evidence adduced attrial established that on December 24, 2005, JORDAN HUFF, MARCUSMAJOR, VICTOR MURRAY and an unindicted coconspirator began theseries of robberies by robbing the AM PM on Ashlan in Fresno,California. Between that time and July 24, 2006, MAJOR, HUFF andMURRAY conspired to commit 29 additional armed robberies, mainlyof convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores. The testimony established that HUFF was the driver and conductedsurveillance while MAJOR and Murray committed the armedrobberies. HUFF and MAJOR committed a few of the armed robberies on their own. ROSE joined the conspiracy towards the end of theseries of robberies, participating in 6 or 7 armed robberies.The evidence established that the defendants fired their guns innumerous of the robberies, and in one robbery at Mickey’s Liquor,testimony established that MAJOR shot the store owner resultingin grave injuries necessitating multiple surgeries for thevictim. RIDEAUX and PERRY both pleaded guilty to an informationthat charged each of them with committing a misprison of a felonyfor their role in trying to assist MAJOR escape from police afterthe robbery of the Bulldog Liquor store on July 24, 2006. PERRY is serving a 21 month sentence and RIDEAUX is serving a 36 monthsentence with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The businesses that were robbed in the series of robberies for which HUFF and MAJOR were convicted were: The AM PM convenience store at 3327 W. Ashlan, Fresno, California (twice);the Valero Gas Station at 1040 S. Gateway, Madera, California(twice); the Valero Gas Station at 1105 W. Shields, Fresno,California; the Y & G T-shirt at 2704 N. Blackstone, Fresno,California; the RS Discount at 3016 W. Olive, Fresno, California(twice); the Parkway Mini Mart at 5510 W. Shaw, Fresno,California; the AM PM convenience store at 12199 Golden State,Madera, California; the G-Mart at 1615 N. Maple, Fresno,California; the Evergreen Food Mart at 2414 N. Marks, Fresno,California; the Liquor Zone at 1452 W. Ashlan, Fresno,California; the Fast Trip at 1798 E. Clinton, Fresno, California(twice); the Jack In The Box at 3058 W. Clinton, Fresno,Californi; the Fair Price Market at 2717 N. Hughes, Fresno,California; the Get N Go at 5210 Tulare St., Fresno, California;MCL Market at 2336 N. Fresno, California (twice); Mickey's Liquorat 440 W. Shields, Fresno, California; Broadway Liquor at 3610 W.Shaw, Fresno, California (twice); the Quick Pick at 4602 E.Church, Fresno, California; Church Market at 4620 E. Church,Fresno, California; the Dollar Tree at 3730 N. Blackstone,Fresno, California; Keg and Cork Liquor at 3057 E. Ashlan,Fresno, California (twice); and Bulldog Liquor at 4968 N. Cedar,Fresno, California.
The case ultimately was investigated jointly by the FresnoViolent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), which focused federal resourceson specific high-crime areas of Fresno, consisting of SpecialAgents from ATF, officers of the Fresno Police Department, anddeputies from the United States Marshal’s Service.
PORCHA NEAL, who was charged as being a co-conspirator in the robbery of the Dollar Tree at 3730 N. Blackstone wasacquitted today.
HUFF and MAJOR are scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2009by the Honorable Lawrence J. O’Neill. The actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account anumber of variables, and any applicable statutory sentencingfactors.
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