U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Shamsadeen Ibn Purvis, 44, of Laurel, to 22 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his guilty plea on June 20, 2005 to obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the facts presented to the court at the time of the plea, on October 18, 2004, at about 12:15 pm, two Dunbar Armored guards went to Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits located at 6214 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, to transport the restaurant’s funds. One of the guards retrieved two bags containing more than $10,000.
While the guard was still in the restaurant, Purvis and his accomplice approached her, pushed her against a door and each pointed a gun to the side of her throat. The accomplice threatened to kill the guard. Purvis took the bags of money and his accomplice removed the guard’s .38 caliber weapon, which he kept. Purvis and his accomplice fled the restaurant. Shortly after leaving the restaurant, Purvis or his accomplice discharged a firearm.
The guard returned to the Dunbar Armored truck and, along with a second guard, pursued Purvis and his accomplice, who ran and then separated. Purvis, who kept the money, scurried over a pile of used tires into a wooded area, where he fell.
After pursuing Purvis to the wooded area, the second guard drew her weapon and ordered Purvis to stay down.
A Prince George’s County Police officer responded and approached Purvis, locating a silver Sturm Ruger .45 caliber pistol on the ground near Purvis. On the tires over which Purvis ran, the officer found the stolen money and an orange reflective vest worn by Purvis during the robbery.
U. S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their investigative work in this case. Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael R. Pauze is prosecuting the case.