MOBILE, AL — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Alabama, Southern), published as received.

MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 209 months in prison for committing several robberies, being a felon in possession of a gun, and brandishing a gun during crimes of violence.

According to court documents, Lindell Vantel Dortch, 41, committed a series of four armed robberies of a Waffle House and several gas stations in Mobile in September and October 2021. During the robberies, each of which was captured on surveillance video, Dortch wore a similar outfit  and brandished a black handgun. Detectives with the Mobile Police Department identified the car that Dortch used to flee the scenes of the robberies and later executed a search warrant at Dortch’s apartment in Mobile after locating the getaway car parked at the complex. During that search, detectives recovered the clothing that Dortch wore and the black 9mm pistol that he brandished during the robberies. In a recorded interview, Dortch confessed to brandishing the pistol and committing the robberies, which netted him cash and property worth $5,658.13. Dortch also admitted that he had previously been convicted of several felonies in Mobile County, including burglary, theft, assault, and drug offenses. Dortch’s prior felony convictions rendered his possession of a gun illegal under federal law.

Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock ordered Dortch to serve 209 months’ imprisonment and a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing, will receive mental health evaluation and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Beaverstock ordered Dortch to pay $5,658.13 in victim restitution and $600 in special assessments. The court also forfeited Dortch’s pistol to the United States.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.