PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain
announced that Johnny Straining, 23, and Lamar Black, 29, both of Harrisburg,
PA were charged by Indictment with attempted robbery which interferes with
interstate commerce, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Black was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges
against the defendants stem from the October 23, 2018 attempted robbery of
Smithgall’s Pharmacy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Two additional men – Brandon
Galette and Andrew Garrett – were charged in February with federal crimes
related to the same attempted robbery.
“Stemming the tide of violent crime in our communities is a
top priority for my Office,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “People looking to
make a quick buck by robbing convenience stores, pharmacies, and other
businesses beware: this conduct is a federal crime, and if you are convicted,
you will face stiff penalties under federal law.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a
program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities
they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for
everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the
Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S.
Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and
tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective,
locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
If convicted, Straining and Black face a maximum possible
sentence of life imprisonment, with a seven-year mandatory minimum, which will
be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. Both are also subject to
financial penalties, including fines and special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, and is being prosecuted
by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Stengel.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an
accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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