Baltimore Felon Exiled to 40 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Obstruction of Justice

Baltimore, Maryland — U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced John F. LeGrand, age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 40 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for armed robbery, possessing a gun in furtherance of a crime of violence, possession of a gun by a convicted felon, witness tampering, witness retaliation and obstruction of justice.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; and Chief Mark L. Bentzel of the Northern York County Regional Police in York, Pennsylvania.

“This sentence will prevent John F. LeGrand from terrorizing any other victims, and we hope that it will deter others from committing similar crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates ATF’s determination in fighting the war on violent crime, and our conviction in keeping our communities safe,” says ATF’s Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop, “Our law abiding citizens deserve to live and work safely, free from violence, fear and intimidation.”

According to testimony at his one week trial, LeGrand and an accomplice robbed: a gas station and food market on Bel Air Road in Baltimore on January 12, 2008; a Pizza Hut on Carlisle Road in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania on January 21, 2008; and a Burger King in Baltimore County on January 23, 2008. In each instance, a gun was used to threaten the employees during the robbery.

Witnesses at trial also testified that in an effort to obstruct the investigation, on January 27, 2010, LeGrand threatened to harm a witness in the investigation and on January 29, 2010, told another witness to misrepresent the facts to federal agents investigating the robberies.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended ATF, the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City Police Department; and the Northern York County Regional Police for their assistance in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Harry M. Gruber, who prosecuted the case.