Jermaine Sumpter, 48, is set to serve six months and 18 days behind bars after pleading guilty to robbery before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard on Oct. 21.
Charging documents note that on April 4, at approximately 9:22 p.m., Southwest District detectives were monitoring a live feed from cameras located at the Marathon Gas Station on the 3300 block of W. Baltimore Street when they were alerted to an armed robbery in progress.
Approximately five minutes later, around 9:27 p.m., Sumpter was observed walking westbound on Baltimore Street. Detectives then observed Sumpter in a parking lot on the unit block of S. Caton Avenue, where he was detained and patted down. No weapon was found on his person.
Still photographs taken from area surveillance footage clearly depict Sumpter robbing the victim while holding what appears to be a handgun. Property Sumpter stole from the victim included a pair of light-colored jeans, a grey hoodie, and a cellphone.
During the robbery, Sumpter allegedly attempted to pistol-whip the victim twice, and succeeded once. At that point, Sumpter’s handgun discharged once. Officers later identified the weapon as a black Polymer80 handgun.
Following his detention, Sumpter was interviewed by police. When asked for his account, he replied, “Story ain’t over.” When detectives inquired about the meaning of this statement, he responded, “To be continued.”
Detectives subsequently found that the Polymer80 handgun lacked a serial number and contained seven live .357-caliber cartridges, along with one spent casing. The handgun was found under an abandoned vehicle, still warm indicating recent use.
Sumpter is legally prohibited from owning a firearm due to previous charges.
During sentencing, defense attorney Sabrina Wood highlighted Sumpter’s health, noting his battle with Stage 4 kidney disease and his four children, one of whom is 15-years-old.
Ultimately, Sumpter was sentenced to seven years in prison for the robbery charge, suspending all but six months and 18 days. Sumpter was given credit for time served since his incarceration on April 4.
In exchange for Sumpter’s guilty plea, the prosecution won’t charge his remaining 10 counts. Upon release, Sumpter will be required to serve five years of supervised probation.
As the hearing concluded, Judge Howard extended good wishes for Sumpter’s health.
