Nine Members Of Oakland-Based “Ghost Town” Gang Sentenced To A Combined Total Of Nearly 60 Years For Armed Robberies In 2022

OAKLAND - Nine associates of the Oakland-based "Ghost Town" gang have been sentenced to a combined total of nearly 60 years in prison for a series of armed robberies targeting small Bay Area businesses. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, with the final defendant sentenced today.

The nine defendants, Demarco Barnett, 36; Jakari Jenkins, 34; Danny Garcia, 41; Garland Rabon, 30; Aramiya Burrell, 35; Lester Garnett, 34; Darrin Hutchinson, 39; Ricky Joseph, 37; and Keanna Smith-Stewart, 33, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce. Based on their involvement, eight of the defendants also pleaded guilty to a varying number of substantive counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.

The robberies took place in 2022. On March 18, 2022, the co-conspirators engaged in the armed robbery of a coin and stamp store located on the tenth floor of a building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. The co-conspirators entered the store, brandished firearms, and demanded money from the business and the two individuals who happened to be present at the time - the owner and his son. The robbers struck the head and zip-tied the hands of the owner's son, and absconded with cash, jewelry, and coins. Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, and Joseph were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

The co-conspirators then struck a San Pablo jewelry store on Nov. 12, 2022. Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store, while two others waited outside in the getaway cars. The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry. Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Garcia, and Hutchinson were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

A third robbery occurred on Dec. 24, 2022, of a marijuana business in Oakland. The co-conspirators arrived at the business as an employee was leaving it. The robbers brandished weapons, directed the employee back into the building at gunpoint, demanding "budded weed" and "money." One of the robbers struck the employee in the head with a firearm. The robbers searched through the employee's pockets and stole his bank debit card. The robbers absconded with the victim's debit card and a bag of marijuana plant trimmings. Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Burrell, Garnett, and Garcia were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

The following chart summarizes the number of counts each defendant pleaded guilty to and the sentence each defendant received:

In addition to the custodial time, the Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $150,338.00.

The Violent Crime Strike Force is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Yenni Weinberg. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department.