Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 35 years for Armed Robbery Spree

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Koren Jones a/k/a “Kuron Jones,” 25, of Philadelphia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert F. Kelly to 35 years’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Jones pleaded guilty earlier this year to committing two armed robberies, one attempted armed robbery, and related firearms offenses—all over the course of a two day violent crime spree in November 2016.

During the first armed robbery, which occurred at a local grocery store, Jones pointed a gun directly at the cashier, threatened to shoot her, and eventually shot a customer in both legs, causing the victim severe injuries.  Jones fled from the store with $200 from the cashier.

The next day, the defendant committed a second armed robbery, this time at a different local grocery store.  Jones entered the store wearing a ski mask, pointed a gun at the cashier, and demanded cash.  Jones fired the gun directly at the cashier and narrowly missed striking him; the cashier gave the defendant approximately $250 before Jones fled from the store.  Later that same day, Jones attempted to commit an armed robbery of a deli a few blocks away; this time, the cashier wrestled the gun away from Jones, but not before it accidentally discharged.

“Senseless acts of violence like the ones Jones committed during his two-day crime spree threaten our neighborhoods and render citizens afraid to participate in the most basic activities of daily living—like shopping at a local grocery store,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “No one should have to live in fear like that.  By seeking and obtaining a significant prison sentence in this case, we have made the neighborhoods Jones terrorized safer today than yesterday.  My Office will continue to work tirelessly with local law enforcement to combat violent crime in order to keep our citizens secure.”

“In a two-day stretch of violence, Koren Jones targeted three places of business and terrorized numerous people,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “He showed zero regard for human life—opening fire on frightened witnesses, leaving both physical and emotional scars. This lengthy sentence makes the streets of Philadelphia safer. May it also provide his victims with a measure of peace.”

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.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions 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.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Driscoll.