12-12-2023 5:39pm

San Pedro Man Sentenced to Almost 15 Years in Federal Prison for Committing Armed Robbery Where a Victim Was Shot and Wounded

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

SANTA ANA–The Justice Department announced that a man from San Pedro has been sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison – while on parole from a life sentence in state prison for armed robbery – the man robbed an armored truck in Harbor City in 2022, in which the truck’s driver suffered critical injuries, after sustaining a gunshot wound.

Gregory James, 48, was sentenced on Monday, December 11, by United States District Judge David O. Carter. James has been in federal custody since October 2022.

James and co-defendant Lamond Akins, 31, of Compton, robbed a Loomis armored truck after the truck driver had finished servicing an ATM at a Bank of America branch in Harbor City on October 17, 2022.

James and Akins waited for the driver to complete his ATM transaction, and then – both men brandished handguns – approached the Loomis driver and robbed him.

While the robbery was being committed, the victim was struck by gunfire and injured. James and Akins looted a bag with roughly $145,000 in cash belonging to Loomis company – which operates in 40 states and three nations – before fleeing from the scene.

The victim sustained bodily injury because of the shooting and needed surgery.

On June 12, 2023, Akins likewise pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharge of a handgun regarding a crime of violence. On October 27, Judge Carter sentenced Akins to 14.75 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI along with The Gardena Police Department who provided substantial assistance.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeremiah M. Levine of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this matter.

This article was updated By Anita Johnson-Brown|The Los Angeles News