United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Lawrence McKay, a 37-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a 32-year prison sentence today. This was delivered by United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh for leading six violent armed robberies in February 2021. These incidents targeted cell phone stores across the city and surrounding counties. Additionally, McKay will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and must pay more than $100,000 in restitution to victims, covering medical expenses.
McKay admitted guilt last year to all six robberies and two counts of using a firearm during these crimes. Each robbery involved at least one accomplice, where employees were forced at gunpoint to hand over store merchandise and cash. Notably, during one incident, McKay shot an employee in the stomach while his co-defendant Brenton Holmes shot another employee in the leg; both victims survived.
Holmes confessed to participating in five robberies with McKay and received a 30-year prison sentence last May. Another accomplice, Dana Toby, pleaded guilty to involvement in two robberies and was sentenced to 15 years in September 2023. Demon McNeil and Dashonna Hoskins each participated in one robbery; McNeil was sentenced to eight years in June 2024 while Hoskins received a 50-month sentence in May 2024.
U.S. Attorney Romero emphasized the severity of the crimes stating: “Lawrence McKay and his crew were a crime spree unto themselves... It was imperative to get McKay off the street before anyone else was harmed.” She highlighted the commitment of her office to focus on violent offenders for community safety.
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, commented on the impact of these actions: “The brazen acts committed in this case instilled fear in our community... The FBI remains steadfast...to combat violent crime.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI and Philadelphia Police Department with assistance from local police departments such as Lower Merion Township, Bristol Township, Norristown, and Warminster Township Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda R. Reinitz, Amanda McCool, and Anthony Carissimi are prosecuting this case.