Philly Man Who Robbed Store With AK-47 Charged Federally

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man is facing federal charges after allegedly robbing a West Philadelphia with an AK-47 rifle in May 2018 and getting a plea deal from local authorities.

United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Jovaun Patterson, 30, of Philadelphia.

Patterson is charged with one count of attempted robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The charges stem from an alleged robbery on May 5, 2018, of the KCJ, Inc. convenience store, a business engaged in interstate commerce and located in West Philadelphia.

If convicted of the robbery Patterson faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine; 3 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment, authorities said.

If convicted of the firearms charge, he faces up life in prison and a mandatory prison sentenced of 10 years to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed; up to 5 years’ supervised release; a $250,000 fine; and a $100 special assessment.

Before the federal indictment was filed, Patterson was arrested for the May 5, 2018 incident and charged by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery–threat of immediate serious injury, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm on a street in Philadelphia, possessing an instrument of crime, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

On Nov. 15, 2018, the DA's office accepted a guilty plea from Patterson on aggravated assault, robbery–threat of immediate serious injury, and possessing an instrument of crime charged, with a sentence of 3 and a half to 10 years’ imprisonment.