HARRISBURG, PA—Christopher Van Johnson, 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced on July 17, 2024, to seven consecutive life sentences for his role in the brutal murders of three individuals on June 25, 2016, in Mercersburg, Franklin County. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who also imposed concurrent 10, 20, and 30-year terms of imprisonment for related robbery, firearms, and conspiracy charges.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the conviction followed a seven-year investigation into the murders of Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, of Hagerstown, MD; Brandon Cole, 47, of Fayetteville, PA; and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, of Mercersburg, PA. The victims were found with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, shot, and set on fire in a barn on Jackson’s property.
The investigation revealed that Wendy Chaney, who was involved in drug distribution operations with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White, had been cooperating with federal authorities. In response, Coles, White, and others contracted her murder. Johnson, a member of the Baltimore-based gang Black Guerilla Family (BGF), was recruited to carry out the execution along with other BGF members.
The perpetrators encountered the three victims at the Jackson property. Chaney and Cole were shot execution-style, while Jackson was shot after attempting to charge Johnson. Jackson, still alive, was set on fire along with the other victims. The assailants aimed to retrieve $20,000 supposedly stored in a safe on the property but instead found drugs and firearms.
As a result of the investigation, several co-defendants were charged and sentenced, including:
- Devin Dickerson, 31, Hagerstown: 30 years for conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
- Torey White, 32, Waynesboro, PA: Convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, case on appeal.
- Michael Buck, 30, Hagerstown: Awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery.
- Nicholas Preddy, 29, Baltimore: 30 years for attempting to kill a witness.
- Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, 22, Baltimore: Life imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery.
- Terrance Lawson, 31, Baltimore: Sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness.
- Tyrone Armstrong, 30, Baltimore: Sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness.
- Kenyatta Corbett, 41, Hagerstown and Baltimore, MD: Life imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery.
- Mark Johnson, 35, Baltimore, MD: 110 months for obstructing the grand jury’s investigation.
- Llesenia Woodard, 46, Hagerstown, MD: Awaiting sentencing for providing false testimony.
- Kevin Coles, 36, NY and Hagerstown, MD: Multiple consecutive life sentences for murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking.
- Yolanda Diaz, 31, Hagerstown, MD: Awaiting sentencing for perjury and obstruction of justice.
- Joshua Davis, 30: 100 months for participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill a cooperating individual.
This case underscores the collaborative efforts of state and federal authorities to bring those responsible for heinous crimes to justice and protect communities from violent criminal enterprises.
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