SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Durrell Davenport, age 26, and Amod Phillips, age 27, both of Scranton, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting, conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on June 8, 2017, Davenport and Phillips brandished firearms and robbed the EFuel Gas Station and Food Mart in Scranton.  Approximately $266 and several packs of cigarettes were taken in the robbery.  The indictment also charges Davenport with the armed robbery of the Sunoco Gas Station and Convenience Store, in Scranton, on June 20, 2017.  Davenport stole $386 and several packs of cigarettes.

 

The case was investigated by the Scranton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

           

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

 

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

 

The maximum penalty for the robbery charges under federal law is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, consecutive to any other sentence. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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