A Des Moines man, Sam Sando, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after being convicted of several charges related to an armed robbery. The charges include attempted interference with commerce by robbery, attempted possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Sando, aged 27, orchestrated an armed robbery targeting a quarter pound of marijuana. He recruited Salifou Sahr as an accomplice for the crime. On January 9, 2022, Sando arranged for the victims to meet at an apartment complex under the guise of a drug deal. During the encounter, both Sando and Sahr fired three rounds into the victim's car. Trishay Thompson was struck by gunfire and later died from her injuries.
On August 7, 2024, following a two-day trial, a federal jury found Sando guilty on all counts. After serving his prison sentence, he will be subject to five years of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.
In November 2023, Salifou Sahr was convicted in Iowa District Court for Polk County on charges including murder in the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced these developments. The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations that work to prevent violence.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.