FOR FURTHERINFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or

MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885  
FEBRUARY 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

ROBBER SENTENCED TO OVER 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ONE MONTH CRIME SPREE

Baltimore, Maryland - Chief U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg sentenced Donald Leon Gladden, age 41, of Baltimore, today to 188 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a series of commercial robberies, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Legg enhanced Gladden's sentence upon finding that he is a career offender based on previous convictions for attempted robbery with a deadly weapon and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Legg also ordered Gladden to pay restitution of over $3,400.

According to his guilty plea, during a one month period, from June 17 through July 17, 2006, Gladden committed eight commercial robberies in which he stole from $33 to $900 by threatening the employees of the businesses with serious physical injury or death. In each instance, Gladden used a BB gun to threaten the employees.

In addition to those eight robberies, from June 28 through July 14, 2006, Gladden robbed four individuals after they had made ATM withdrawals, threatening them with the BB gun and stealing a total of $600. Gladden also robbed two businesses in Baltimore County, stealing $60 on June 29, 2006 and $370 on July 19, 2006.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Baltimore City Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger and his office for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Steven H. Levin, who prosecuted the case.