Vinton Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Robbery

ROANOKE, Va. – A Vinton, Virginia man, who targeted and robbed a female who posted that she had marijuana for sale on social media, was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison.

Donovan Allen Carico, 21, previously pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of brandishing and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Carico will serve his 8 year sentence consecutive to a four-year sentence he is currently serving in state custody for unrelated conduct.

According to court documents, on June 7, 2020, the victim agreed to sell four ounces of marijuana to an individual with the Snapchat handle “DonnyChapo2020.” Accompanied by a friend, they traveled to Wasena Park, in Roanoke to make the transaction. At the park, Carico entered the victim’s car, sat in the back seat, and asked to see the marijuana.

After the victim showed Carico the marijuana, Carico produced a firearm, put it to the back of the victim’s head and told her to give him everything. The victim complied with his demands and Carico departed with the marijuana and other personal items.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Roanoke City Police Department  investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Coleman Adams prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.