Columbia Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Series of Armed Robberies

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Alvin Owens, age 24, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced on February 9, 2012 by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson to a total of 40 years’ imprisonment without parole, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Owens had previously entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiring to rob businesses that were involved and engaged in interstate commerce [a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1951] and to two counts of using and carrying a firearm while committing a violent felony [violations of 18 U.S.C. §924(c)]. Judge Anderson also ordered Owens to pay $3,222.00 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.

Evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings established that between December 14, 2009 and January 13, 2010, Owens (a member of the Folk Nation gang) used firearms to rob at least four commercial businesses in the Columbia area, including a convenience store and several hair styling businesses. The evidence also established that Owens engaged in armed carjacking, taking a car from a driver in the Vista business district on January 3, 2010.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and State Law enforcement Division (SLED). Assistant United States Attorneys Mark C. Moore and William Witherspoon of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.