Quashawn Pettiford, a 34-year-old resident of Syracuse, has been sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for Interference With Commerce Through Robbery. This announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the FBI.
Pettiford's sentencing follows his prior plea agreement in which he confessed to committing robbery on January 11, 2022. On that day, Pettiford and two accomplices entered a gas station in Salina, New York, wearing masks. His accomplices carried BB guns resembling real firearms and used them to threaten the store clerk. One accomplice pressed a gun into the clerk’s neck while instructing him to open the cash register. The group stole about $1,200 in merchandise from the store shelves, $1,495 from the cash register, and $513 from the clerk’s wallet.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ruled that Pettiford will undergo a three-year supervised release after completing his prison term. He is required to pay restitution to the victims and forfeit the $3,208 proceeds obtained from the offense.
The case was investigated by the FBI with support from several local law enforcement agencies including New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, DeWitt Police Department, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Thomas R. Sutcliffe were responsible for prosecuting the case.