Pharmacy Robberies In Anne Arundel, Columbia Send Men To Prison

LAUREL, MD — Two Laurel men face prison sentences of 25 years to life for robbing several pharmacies in Columbia and Anne Arundel County, federal officials said. Jawanza Kevin Carter, 22, of Laurel, pleaded guilty on April 3 to robbery involving controlled substances, and to carrying and brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with the armed robbery or attempted armed robbery of five pharmacies and the theft of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of opioids.

According to Carter’s plea agreement, between May 5 and Nov. 29, 2017, Carter and Arthur Prince, 20, of Laurel, robbed five pharmacies at gunpoint. In each robbery, Carter pointed a gun at the clerk, and the men demanded opioid narcotics such as oxycodone, oxycontin, percocet, and codeine. In most of the robberies, Carter and Prince also stole money from the cash register and robbed the clerk.

Carter admitted that he robbed: the Howard Pharmacy in Columbia on May 5, 2017; the Lorven Pharmacy in Laurel on June 19, 2017; the Pasadena Pharmacy in Pasadena on August 25, 2017; and the Annapolis Professional Pharmacy in Annapolis on November 29, 2017, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Carter and Prince also attempted to rob the Pace Wellness Pharmacy in Pasadena on Aug. 25, 2017, but were unable to steal narcotics when the clerk didn’t know where the drugs were located, according to prosecutors. Instead, Carter and Prince stole $180 from the cash register and stole the clerk's purse, which contained $50 in cash and credit cards, among other things.

In each robbery, cell-site records showed that Carter’s phone was in the immediate area of the pharmacy at the time of the robbery, and his DNA was found on a reusable shopping bag left by the robbers at the Howard Pharmacy and on a mask Carter wore during the Annapolis Professional Pharmacy that law enforcement later recovered.

Investigators also found Carter’s fingerprints on one of the getaway vehicles used by the robbers, and text messages between Carter and Prince about one of the robberies. Photos from Carter’s Snapchat account showed expensive purchases in the days and weeks after some of the robberies, including luxury items from Gucci, a gold watch, and designer tennis shoes, according to a news release.

Prince was arrested after the Annapolis robbery in Odenton, not far from where law enforcement located the stolen narcotics. Carter was arrested at the home of his girlfriend in Laurel. Searches turned up three boxes of .40-caliber ammunition, a gun cleaning kit and related items, and an empty handgun carrying case with a clip in it.

After his arrest and while he was detained, Carter attempted to obstruct justice. In recorded jail calls, Carter instructed his girlfriend to get rid of a bag used in connection with one of the robberies, which she did. On Dec. 4, 2017, Carter coached his girlfriend on what to say to law enforcement about two vehicles used in the robberies that were titled and registered to her. She was told to tell police that one of the cars is a “family and friends car,” and that she drove the other vehicle.

Carter faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for robbery involving controlled substances; and a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Prince previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting robbery involving controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with the armed robberies of five pharmacies. He also faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for aiding and abetting robbery involving controlled substances; and a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. His sentencing is scheduled for April 9.