United States of America v. Christopher Lamont Stimpson, Jr.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with armed robbery.



Christopher Lamont Stimpson, Jr., 23, of Greensboro, North Carolina, was charged for committing a gunpoint robbery of a Lancaster County puppy breeder and his family in order to steal five French Bulldog puppies in October 2020.



In November 2020, the defendant was charged by Indictment with robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, and interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with the robbery. To lure the victims out with the puppies, dogs with a total value of more than $23,000, Stimpson posed as a customer seeking to purchase five French Bulldog puppies, only to pull out a gun, point it at the victims, and steal the animals. One of the victims recorded the registration of the defendant's getaway vehicle, which was traced back to a rental company in Greensboro, North Carolina. According to court documents, a customer of the breeder who had also been interested in purchasing one of the puppies later discovered an Instagram posting which featured a video and a photograph of the puppies, as well as photographs of Stimpson. In December 2020, the defendant was arrested in North Carolina.



"Stimpson committed armed robbery in order to greedily and callously steal vulnerable, living creatures,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. "This conviction demonstrates our Office's commitment to prosecuting dangerous, armed criminals, no matter where they may run and hide. We are thankful to our partners here in Pennsylvania and in North Carolina for their partnership in bringing Stimpson to justice.”



"Armed robbery is armed robbery, whether the objective is drugs, dollars, or dogs,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. "Christopher Stimpson traveled quite a ways to terrorize the breeder and his family and take those puppies by force. Let this be a warning to anyone else planning on coming into Pennsylvania to commit a violent crime: the FBI and our partners will track you down wherever you are and see that you're brought to justice.”



This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department's renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney's Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.



The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ephrata Police Department, and the Greensboro (NC) Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Miller.



18:1951(a) - ROBBERY WHICH INTERFERES WITH INTERSTATE COMMERCE; 18:2 - AIDING AND ABETTING

(1)

18:2314 - INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF STOLEN GOODS; 18:2 - AIDING AND ABETTING

(2)

03/31/2022 90 Minute Entry for proceedings held before HONORABLE EDWARD G. SMITH. Jury Trial (Day 4) as to CHRISTOPHER LAMONT STIMPSON, JR, WILBERT CURTIS TREY ARTIS, III held on 3/31/22. Continuation and completion of the Charge Conference out of the hearing of the jurors. Closing arguments made by counsel. The Court charges the jury. Deliberations begin. Lunch provided to the jurors. Jurors return with verdict for defendant Christopher Lamont Stimpson, Jr.: Guilty on both Counts One and Two. As to defendant Wilbert Curtis Trey Artis, III: Not Guilty on both Counts One and Two. Jurors dismissed. Sentencing date set for defendant Stimpson: Thursday, July 14, 2022 @ 9:30 A.M. Defendant Stimpson remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. Court Reporter ESR. (mas) (Entered: 04/01/2022)

03/31/2022 91 Jury Verdict Sheet as to CHRISTOPHER LAMONT STIMPSON, JR.; WILBERT CURTIS TREY ARTIS, III.(mas) Modified on 4/1/2022 (er). (Entered: 04/01/2022)