ANNAPOLIS, Md. — An Annapolis man convicted of robbing and assaulting a taxi driver at gunpoint in Severna Park was sentenced Dec. 22, 2025, to a lengthy prison term.
Jermaine Donte Mitchell, 44, was sentenced in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Malone to 15 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended, for a May 2025 armed robbery. Mitchell was also ordered to serve five years of supervised probation upon his release from the Division of Correction.
A jury found Mitchell guilty on Nov. 6, 2025, following a two-day trial. His convictions included armed robbery, robbery, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and wearing and carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure.
The charges stem from a May 1, 2025, incident when Anne Arundel County police were dispatched to the area of Ritchie Highway and Earleigh Heights Road in Severna Park for a reported robbery. Officers later located Mitchell on foot nearby and took him into custody.
According to testimony, the victim, a taxi driver, had picked up Mitchell from a hotel in the 100 block of Womack Drive in Annapolis for a trip to Marley Station. During the ride, Mitchell began arguing with the driver over the fare. When the driver offered to let Mitchell exit the vehicle if he paid the $40 charge, Mitchell produced what appeared to be a handgun and struck the driver in the head before demanding his cellphone and fleeing without paying.
The driver immediately reported the robbery after noticing a police vehicle nearby. Investigators later recovered a firearm concealed near a vehicle at the Earleigh Heights Firehouse. The weapon was determined to be a black BB gun labeled “Glock 17,” police said.
Mitchell returned the victim’s cellphone shortly before being arrested.
Following the sentencing, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said the attack reflected the risks faced by taxi and rideshare drivers.
“This is certainly the worst nightmare for taxi and rideshare drivers, to be attacked and robbed by a passenger,” Leitess said in a statement. “The defendant had a chance to pay the fare and exit the taxi, but chose to pistol-whip the driver and take his phone.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Shane Nolan. The investigation was led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
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