Two maryland men convicted of robbery, carjacking, and murder after violent crime spree
Judge using gavel in courtroom - File Photo.

Two Maryland Men Convicted of Robbery, Carjacking, and Murder After Violent Crime Spree

Posted by
1 min read
October 26, 2024

GREENBELT, MD – Thaddeus Lamont Wills, 51, and Keionta Shawn Hagens, 44, both of Waldorf, Maryland, were convicted on Friday, October 25, 2024, for a series of violent crimes including armed robbery, carjacking, and murder. The convictions came after a nine-day federal trial in which a jury found the men guilty of conspiracy, using and brandishing firearms, and the murder of a business owner during their crime spree.

According to the evidence presented, Wills and Hagens, along with other conspirators, carried out a series of armed robberies between November 2020 and January 2021. On November 12, 2020, they robbed a business and carjacked a Dodge Ram pickup truck. Days later, on November 17, 2020, they used a stolen Ford F-150 to rob another business, restraining an employee and seizing cash and merchandise at gunpoint.

The crime spree escalated on January 6, 2021, when Wills and other conspirators carjacked a 2008 Honda Pilot in Waldorf, Maryland. The following day, they crossed state lines into Virginia, where they robbed customers and employees of another business in Woodbridge. After returning to Maryland, the stolen vehicle was burned to destroy evidence.

Tragically, on January 18, 2021, Wills and Hagens robbed a business owner at gunpoint, stealing merchandise and fatally shooting the victim. They then carjacked a 2019 Lexus RX350 to escape.

Wills faces a potential life sentence for the murder, as well as multiple sentences for armed robbery, carjacking, and firearm offenses. Hagens also faces a substantial prison term, including a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison for his involvement. The convictions were announced by U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron and law enforcement agencies from Maryland and Virginia who coordinated the investigation.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Breaking News

Don't Miss