BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in connection with an armed robbery of a T-Mobile store in Brockton, where multiple gunshots were fired at Brockton Police Officers during a high-speed chase.
Diovanni Carter, 30, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs to 270 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In March 2020, Carter was convicted by a federal grand jury of conspiracy to commit a robbery affecting interstate commerce, robbery affecting interstate commerce, and brandishing and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the robbery.
On Jan. 26, 2019, Carter orchestrated a plan with three other men to rob a T-Mobile store in Brockton. Carter drove the group from Boston to Brockton. When they arrived, the three men went into the store carrying semi-automatic firearms that they pointed at the store manager, demanding cash and electronics, while Diovanni Carter waited in the getaway vehicle. During the robbery, the store manager was struck in the head with a firearm. The three men stole approximately $25,000 in cash and electronics, left the store and departed in the getaway vehicle driven by Carter.
Brockton Police responded, located the vehicle and a high speed chase ensued through residential neighborhoods reaching speeds of over 70 mph. During the chase, Carter ordered the other men to fire their weapons at the pursuing police cruisers as part of their effort to escape. In total, at least eight rounds were fired at the police. The suspects then abandoned the car and fled on foot.
During the search by law enforcement, the stolen phones, cash and the three firearms used in robbery were recovered. Darius Carter, Stephan Rosser-Steward and a third man were apprehended shortly after the robbery. Carter was not found, but later arrested on March 5, 2019.
Darius Carter is scheduled to plead guilty on Oct. 21, 2020. Rosser-Steward has pleaded not guilty.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement. The Quincy and Boston Police Departments also provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glenn MacKinlay, Chief of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Philip A. Mallard prosecuted the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
