Donta Allen, 28, and Lance McGee, 33, both of Indianapolis, have been sentenced to a combined total of 57 years in federal prison for their involvement in a series of armed robberies throughout Marion County.
Allen received a sentence of 38 years after pleading guilty to 11 counts of interference with commerce by robbery and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He was also ordered to pay $12,790.91 in restitution and serve three years under supervised release.
McGee was sentenced to 19.5 years following his guilty plea to the same robbery charges and two counts related to firearms offenses. He will also serve three years on supervised release and pay the same amount in restitution.
Court documents state that between March 25 and April 8, 2022, Allen and McGee worked together to rob at least eleven stores in Indianapolis and Speedway, Indiana. Allen would enter each business wearing a ski mask and makeup to hide his tattoos while threatening employees with a firearm. McGee acted as the getaway driver using a Chevy Malibu and shared in the proceeds from each robbery.
The firearm used—a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol—was stolen by McGee from a moving company client before being used in the crimes.
The businesses targeted included several locations of Disc Replay, GameStop, and AutoZone across Indianapolis and Speedway on dates ranging from March 25 through April 8, 2022.
Both defendants had prior felony convictions that made it illegal for them to possess firearms at the time of these offenses. Allen’s record included previous convictions for robbery-related offenses; McGee had earlier been convicted for drug possession felonies.
“This case sends a clear message that repeat violent offenders who terrorize our communities will face the full force of federal justice,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Donta Allen and Lance McGee are recidivist criminals who committed a spree of armed robberies, endangering lives across Marion County. Thanks to the exceptional work of the FBI, IMPD, and the Speedway Police Department, they have received lengthy prison sentences and can no longer threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
“Our communities deserve to feel safe from violent criminals who think nothing of pointing a gun at innocent people,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, special agent in charge of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “These sentences reflect the strength of our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement and send a clear message: if you use a firearm to terrorize others, you will face serious consequences.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with officers from IMPD and Speedway Police Department. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash prosecuted this case.
