A Roanoke Rapids man was sentenced to 366 months in prison for interference with commerce by robbery, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

 

According to court documents, Joshua Jermaine Durante, 23, robbed the Family Dollar Store in Weldon on September 17, 2018.  During the robbery, Durante and a juvenile brandished firearms and pistol-whipped the clerk while demanding money.  After the clerk complied, the two fled the store. On September 26, 2018, Durante and the juvenile robbed a second store - New Dixie Mart #213 in Roanoke Rapids. 

 

After the clerk had trouble opening the safe at Durante’s command, he shot the clerk in the stomach.  The clerk sustained life-threatening injuries but survived.  A few days later, law enforcement in Gaston located Durante and the juvenile who ran from police leading them on a high-speed chase.  During the chase, Durante drove his car down railroad tracks which ultimately disabled his car.  He and the juvenile then fled from the car on foot but were captured by law enforcement after a short foot chase. 

 

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Weldon Police Department, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, and the Gaston Police Department  investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson  prosecuted the case.