WASHINGTON – In a sweeping series of federal actions spanning Missouri, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, authorities have secured a 224‑month prison term for the co‑leader of a violent multi‑state robbery ring that terrorized pharmacies and cellphone stores, secured a guilty plea from a St. Louis bank robber, and announced new indictments and charges against three additional men in connection with armed bank and pharmacy heists, according to court documents and federal prosecutors.
The cases, prosecuted in separate jurisdictions, highlight a coordinated federal push against violent crime, with the St. Louis prosecution falling under the Department of Justice’s nationwide “Operation Take Back America” initiative.
D.C. Ringleader Gets 18+ Years for 19‑Robbery Spree
In the most severe sentence handed down this week, D’Marrell Mitchell, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced Thursday to 224 months in federal prison for his role as a principal organizer of a robbery conspiracy that struck at least 19 pharmacies and cellphone stores across the District, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey between May 2020 and May 2021.
Following a six‑week jury trial, Mitchell was convicted on Oct. 28, 2025, of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and nine counts of Hobbs Act robbery. U.S. District Judge Amy B. Jackson also ordered three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had sought a 327‑month sentence.
“D’Marrell Mitchell and his crew turned pharmacies and cellphone stores into hunting grounds, terrorizing workers and customers all to feed a criminal enterprise that treated other people’s safety as an acceptable cost of doing business,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “He didn’t just participate in these robberies. Mitchell planned them, recruited others to carry them out, and pocketed the proceeds. That is the definition of a dangerous predator, and today’s sentence reflects it.”
Court papers show the conspiracy netted over $300,000 in stolen narcotics and cellphones and terrorized more than 40 victims. Mitchell personally entered stores and assaulted employees during multiple robberies, including at a CVS in Neptune, N.J.; a T‑Mobile in College Park, Md.; a pharmacy in Glen Echo, Md.; and a CVS in Pasadena, Md.
During the Glen Echo robbery on Nov. 12, 2020, Mitchell went behind the pharmacy counter, ordered an employee to his knees, struck him on the head, and grabbed another employee by the neck before filling a duffel bag with narcotics. In the final Pasadena robbery, Mitchell forced an employee to open the narcotics safe and bound the victim’s hands with zip ties. Police arrived as the conspirators fled, and Mitchell was apprehended on the rooftop of a nearby restaurant.
Mitchell used a juvenile co‑conspirator in multiple robberies and exercised control over other gang members via cellphone communications. Photos recovered from his phone showed firearms consistent with those used in several robberies. Mitchell has an extensive prior criminal history, including convictions for assault with significant bodily injury and multiple theft offenses across three jurisdictions.
Co‑defendant and co‑leader Ashley Gause, 33, was also found guilty of conspiracy and eight Hobbs Act robbery counts; her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2026.
St. Louis Felon Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery, Gun Possession
In Missouri, Matthew Parker, 48, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of bank robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Parker admitted that on June 16, 2025, he robbed a bank on the 11400 block of Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur. He handed a demand note to a teller while holding one hand in the front pocket of his sweatshirt, implying a weapon. After receiving cash, he fled. Multiple images of Parker were released to the public, and tips from citizens provided law enforcement with his name, phone number, and address.
On July 1, 2025, officers executed a court‑approved search of Parker’s home and recovered a pistol. As a convicted felon, Parker is barred from possessing firearms. After his arrest, he told investigators he committed the robbery because he owed money to someone.
Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28, 2026.
Nashua Man Indicted for Unarmed Bank Robbery
In New Hampshire, a federal grand jury indicted Mario Monserrate Morgan, 41, of Nashua, on one count of unarmed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced.
According to the indictment, Morgan robbed a Citizens Bank branch at 238 Main Street in Nashua on June 9, 2026. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord at a later date. If convicted, Morgan faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Nashua Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case. The indictment contains allegations only; Morgan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
North Andover Man Charged with Armed CVS Robbery
In Massachusetts, Gareth Francis, 45, of North Andover, was charged June 17 in federal court in Boston with Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the armed robbery of a CVS Pharmacy in Danvers on May 11, 2026.
According to the charging document, Francis entered the store shortly before 8:00 PM wearing a ski mask and carrying a black plastic bag and a firearm. He approached a locked door to the pharmacy area, pointed his gun at a pharmacy technician, and climbed over the counter. He then confronted a pharmacist, demanding: “Open the [narcotics] safe now or I’ll shoot you.” Over several minutes, pharmacists placed various prescription drugs into his bag at gunpoint. Francis again demanded the safe be opened, giving the pharmacist “30 seconds” or he would “shoot [her].” A cellphone alarm sounded, and Francis told the pharmacist she was “lucky” before fleeing through the rear entrance.
An arriving officer saw Francis run out and gave chase. The officer tackled Francis in the middle of the street, where a struggle ensued. During the scuffle, Francis attempted to raise a silver firearm toward the officer; the officer disarmed him and maintained control until backup arrived. A loaded 9mm handgun, multiple magazines, and a bag containing the stolen drugs were recovered at the scene.
Francis has prior federal convictions for providing false information in connection with firearms purchases and for being a felon in possession. He is currently held in pretrial custody on state charges in Salem District Court and will make his initial federal appearance later.
If convicted, Francis faces up to 20 years on the Hobbs Act robbery count and up to 15 years on the firearm count, along with fines and supervised release. The FBI Boston Division, Danvers Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potapchuk is prosecuting.
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