A gang member who joined three cohorts in perpetrating a takeover robbery at a Jurupa Valley marijuana store in which two employees were shot was sentenced Thursday to 14 years in state prison.
Kevin Anthony Washington, 30, of Jurupa Valley in October admitted a firearm assault charge, along with sentence-enhancing allegations of street gang activity and using a gun in the commission of a felony.
In exchange for his admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office dropped four related felony counts.
Superior Court Judge Charles Koosed certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
Washington’s co-defendants — Andrew Lamar Cage, 34, Tyrale Lee Holley, 35, and Maurice DeWayne Whitley, 35 — all of Jurupa Valley — also reached plea bargains with the District Attorney’s Office in the last two years.
Cage was sentenced to six years in prison, Holley to 16 years and Whitley to 14 years.
According to prosecutors, on the night of Aug. 28, 2019, the defendants forced their way into the cannabis shop in the 2700 block of Rubidoux Boulevard, armed with pistols, and opened fire on three employees, hitting two, one of whom was seriously wounded, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Nathan Padilla.
The defendants grabbed products from the shelves and money inside the store, then fled.
The wounded clerks ultimately recovered.
Detectives developed leads pointing to the defendants as the bandits, culminating in their arrests toward the end of 2019.
According to court records, Washington has prior convictions for using controlled substances in jail and possession of controlled substances for sale.