A federal jury has found Stephen Kennedy, 33, of Temple Hills, Maryland, guilty of several charges related to arson and robbery targeting convenience stores. The verdict was delivered after a five-day trial in Greenbelt, Maryland.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, along with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division and other local law enforcement agencies.
Kennedy was convicted on multiple counts including conspiracy to commit arson, arson affecting interstate commerce, commercial robbery, using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying an explosive device during the commission of a felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. However, he was acquitted on one count of arson affecting interstate commerce.
According to court documents from an eight-count superseding indictment, Kennedy conspired with others from January 2021 to January 2022 to set fires at 7-Eleven stores as part of a plan to steal cash from ATMs. Co-defendant Donnell Kelly also participated in these activities. The indictment details how Kennedy and Kelly used explosive devices while the stores were open to ignite fires and disable security systems before returning later to burglarize the premises.
The crimes led to losses estimated at $90,000 for the ATM company involved. Additionally, efforts were made by conspirators to cover up their actions through false police reports about stolen license plates.
Kennedy faces significant prison time: a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 20 years for arson-related charges; up to 20 years for commercial robbery; a minimum sentence of 30 years up to life for using explosives in furtherance of violence; ten years for carrying an explosive during another federal felony; and up to ten years for being a felon with a firearm. Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2025.
Co-defendant Donnell Kelly pleaded guilty earlier and received a ten-year sentence with three years supervised release last October under Judge Peter J. Messitte's jurisdiction.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement initiatives. U.S. Attorney Barron acknowledged the contributions from various law enforcement entities including ATF’s Baltimore Field Division’s Arson & Explosive Investigations Group among others.
For further information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and its community outreach programs visit their official website.