DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit man who committed a series of dangerous crimes within a two-hour time span in 2020 was sentenced to 12 years behind bars, the U.S. Attorney's Office said on Tuesday.
Related
According to court records through The Detroit News, the defendant, 38-year-old Ivan Xavier Armstrong, pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from carjacking to carrying a firearm -- he was sentenced to 12 years in a federal prison.
Police said Armstrong is responsible for a two-hour crime spree that occurred on April 3, 2020, which began on the Eastside of Detroit at his mother's house when he kicked in her door, destroyed her phone and fired shots.
Armstrong then left his mother's house and within a half an hour, carjacked a retired police officer, stealing his credentials, some cash and the man's wallet before driving off in the victim's 2003 Hyundai Sonata.
Court documents said Armstrong was then spotted on camera at a gas station in Detroit before jetting to another gas station in the 14800 block of East Jefferson where a fight broke out between him and someone inside. Armstrong then fired his weapon inside the store.
Investigators said no one was injured.
Related
Armstrong was apprehended by police a few hours later while he was committing a home invasion on Alter Road; police said Armstrong had a black Ruger handgun at the time of his arrest.
“Violent offenders like Mr. Armstrong are our focus,” U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said Tuesday. “We are committed to bringing the full weight of the justice system to bear on individuals who are making our neighborhoods unsafe and who prey upon our citizens.”
Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections showed Armstrong had several prior convictions, including assault with a dangerous weapon.
Jonathan Epstein, the federal defender for Armstrong, said in a sentencing memorandum this month that the defendant had been doing well while out on parole, but Armstrong began to spiral after a series of deaths in the family had a negative effect on him.
"This string of recent tragedies resulted in Armstrong’s 'escapism' into drinking and 'feel-good' street pills," including taking ecstasy shortly before the crime spree, Epstein said.
The attorney tried to negotiate for a shorter sentence, saying that his client had "accepted full responsibility for his actions with the weapon and has pled guilty without (any) 'drama,' denials or objections,"
Epstein said Armstrong was "better able to understand and reflect on these events and the people he hurt, and he is frankly disturbed and remorseful for what he did ..."
Related
