Four L.A. Men Arrested After Posting Photos of Stolen Cash on Instagram

On July 10, an indictment was unsealed charging four men from Los Angeles County with a series of armed robberies. Charles Christopher (24, Compton), D’Angelo Spencer (26, South Los Angeles), Jordan Leonard (25, Torrance), and Tazjar Rouse (22, Hollywood) face multiple federal charges. These include conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, and various counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

From November 4, 2023, to December 24, 2023, the defendants allegedly carried out multiple armed robberies. These incidents primarily targeted 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles, with one robbery occurring at a CVS store in Hollywood. They traveled to these locations in a BMW, jumped over the counters, took money from the cash registers, and placed it into a black Nike bag. Typically, either Christopher or Leonard brandished a firearm, demanding cellphones or wallets from store employees or customers.

Key Incidents and Dates:

• November 4, 2023: The crime spree begins with the first robbery.
• November 28, 2023: Leonard posts a photograph on Instagram with stacks of cash, captioned “love my bros we go hit every time,” tagging Christopher and Spencer. This followed a robbery at a 7-Eleven earlier that day.
• December 24, 2023: The last robbery in the series.

In total, the defendants allegedly netted approximately $7,617 in cash during the crime spree.

Social Media Evidence

A key piece of evidence in this case is an Instagram post by Jordan Leonard on November 28, 2023. In the photo, Leonard is seen holding stacks of cash with the caption “love my bros we go hit every time,” explicitly tagging the Instagram accounts of Charles Christopher and D’Angelo Spencer. This post came shortly after the robbery of a 7-Eleven store in South Los Angeles earlier that day. The prosecution argues that this post not only displays the stolen money but also establishes a direct link between Leonard and his co-defendants to the string of armed robberies, providing crucial evidence of their involvement in the crime spree. The use of social media in this manner highlights the brazenness of the suspects and serves as a modern form of self-incrimination.

Arrests and Initial Court Appearances

• Charles Christopher and Jordan Leonard: Arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, pleaded not guilty, and were denied bail. Their trial is scheduled for September 17.
• Tazjar Rouse: Made his initial appearance in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri.
• D’Angelo Spencer: Expected to be arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles.

1. Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951):

The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce. This law is broad and applies to any act that obstructs, delays, or affects commerce in any way.

• Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery: This charge applies to all four defendants — Charles Christopher, D’Angelo Spencer, Jordan Leonard, and Tazjar Rouse. It alleges that they conspired together to commit a series of armed robberies, which directly impacted interstate commerce, particularly by targeting businesses like 7-Eleven and CVS.
• Interference with Commerce by Robbery: This charge also applies to all four defendants. It alleges that each defendant participated in the actual act of robbing these businesses, thereby interfering with commerce. The indictment specifies that from November 4, 2023, to December 24, 2023, the defendants carried out multiple armed robberies primarily targeting 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles and a CVS store in Hollywood.

2. Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)):

This charge specifically addresses the use of firearms during the commission of a violent crime. It applies individually to defendants based on their actions during the robberies.

• Charles Christopher and Jordan Leonard: Both are charged with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. According to the indictment, Christopher or Leonard typically brandished a firearm during the robberies, threatening store employees or customers and demanding cellphones or wallets. The act of brandishing a firearm significantly enhances the severity of the crime and the potential penalties.

Potential Defenses

1. Challenging Interstate Commerce Impact: Arguing that the robberies did not substantially affect interstate commerce.
2. Questioning Identification: Disputing the accuracy of eyewitness identifications or the authenticity of the social media links to the crimes.
3. Insufficient Evidence: Asserting that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
4. Fourth Amendment Violations: Moving to suppress evidence obtained through unlawful searches or seizures.

Upon conviction, the defendants face severe penalties. Each count under the Hobbs Act carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Additionally, each count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and can lead to life imprisonment.

For anyone facing serious federal charges like those in this case, The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi offer strong and dedicated legal representation backed by over 20 years of experience. Contact us today to protect your rights and secure your future.

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