Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms 50-Year Sentence for Man Convicted of Attempted Robbery Leading to Death and Firearm Crimes

Memphis, TN - The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the 50-year federal prison sentence handed down to Louis Holloway, 44, following his conviction for the attempted robbery of John Stambaugh in 2002 and firearms crimes. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the affirmation of the sentence today.

On September 8, 2002, John Stambaugh, a student at the University of Memphis, was robbed and murdered by a shotgun blast while delivering pizza in Memphis's Cooper-Young neighborhood. Holloway was identified as a suspect and later charged with attempted robbery and gun crimes.

In 2008, after a jury trial, Holloway was found guilty of attempted robbery, discharging a firearm in furtherance of attempted robbery, and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Due to changes in the law which went into effect in 2022, Holloway's life sentence was vacated, and the district court scheduled a resentencing hearing. At that hearing, United States District Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Holloway to 50 years in federal prison, the statutory maximum sentence in light of the changes in law, followed by three years of supervised release.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the 50-year sentence, holding that it was reasonable considering the horrific nature of the offense and Holloway's very serious criminal history.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department.

On behalf of the government, Assistant United States Attorney Tony Arvin prosecuted this case in the district court and at the post-conviction stage. AUSA Naya Bedini prosecuted this case at the post-conviction stage and on appeal.

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