Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for String of Robberies

Federal sentence results from “Project Recoil”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A career criminal from Georgia was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by Senior District Judge Thomas B. Russell, for multiple robberies, including brandishing a firearm announced Acting United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. There is no parole in the federal system.

The federal charges stemmed from “Project Recoil,” the on-going partnership of multiple Jefferson County, Kentucky law enforcement agencies, to maximize penalties for the most violent offenders and to reduce violent crime in our community.

Xavier Demetrius Porter, 40, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on December 5, 2014, to nine counts of obstructing interstate commerce through robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a robbery, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  In 1996, Porter was convicted of three counts of armed robbery, in case number 96-R-398 in Dougherty County (Georgia) Superior Court.  During those robberies, he used a sawed-off shotgun.

“Through the cooperation of federal, state and local law enforcement, a violent and dangerous repeat offender will spend the next 30 years behind bars. Project Recoil’s commitment to a team approach is our most effective weapon against crime. Together, we are getting results and making our community a safer place, “ stated Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

“Today’s sentence sends a very strong message that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are working together to make Louisville a safer community. Anyone contemplating a gun-related crime should realize the possible consequences,” stated Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad.

“Today, an armed and violent criminal was removed from the Louisville community for a long time. Strong partnerships among federal, state and local law enforcement and with the public we serve are making a positive difference. Gun violence will not be tolerated in Louisville,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Stuart Lowrey.  

Porter admitted to robbing Spinelli’s Pizza located at 2905 Goose Creek Road on March 5, 2013, the Subway located at 3503 South Hurstbourne Parkway on March 7, 2013, the Subway located at 8056 New LaGrange Road on March 17, 2013, Circle K located at 4600 Wattbourne Lane on April 15, 2013, the White Castle located at 3705 Bardstown Road on April 16, 2013, the Thornton’s located at 3909 Taylorsville Road on April 17, 2013, the Subway located on Bishop Lane on April 17, 2013,  Cigarette Outlet located on Six Mile Lane on April 18, 2013, and the Adam and Eve store on South Hurstbourne Parkway on April 18, 2013.  The federal robbery charges are brought pursuant to the Hobb’s Act, which criminalizes robberies that affect interstate commerce.  During eight of the robberies, Porter brandished a firearm.  During the first two robberies, he used a small black handgun.  During the last five robberies, he used a pistol-grip 12 gauge shotgun.  At the time of his arrest, Porter was clutching the money he stole from Adam & Eve in his hand.

Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case.  The Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.