ATLANTA - Kujo Duako and Sammetrius Brooks have been sentenced for a string of armed robberies that targeted multiple businesses and a bank in metro Atlanta.
“Duako and Brooks terrorized innocent victims and jeopardized their lives during this violent crime spree,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The men’s arrest and prosecution are an example of the excellent coordination that the FBI and our district’s local law enforcement partners routinely leverage to remove dangerous criminals from our communities.”
“Carrying weapons into peaceful places of business and terrorizing hard-working citizens is something the FBI and our law enforcement partners will make every effort to prosecute and punish,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “These sentences should be a warning to anyone who would consider armed robbery in our community, and hopefully bring some comfort to the victims that were affected during the commission of these crimes.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On October 29, 2018, Duako attempted to rob a CVS store in the City of South Fulton, Georgia. During the robbery, Duako pointed a semi-automatic handgun at an employee and ordered her to walk to the cash register. Rather than comply with Duako’s demand, the employee fled to the rear of the store and engaged a fire alarm, thwarting the robbery.
Later that day, Duako robbed a Dollar General store, also located in South Fulton. Again, he pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded cash. On this occasion, Duako stole cash and personal property from the employee.
On October 30, 2018, Duako and a co-defendant, Sammetrius Brooks, drove to various locations in metro Atlanta, including an IHOP restaurant and a Family Dollar store in South Fulton; a Sprint store in Riverdale; a Metro PCS store in College Park; and a United Community Bank branch in Fairburn. Duako robbed each of these businesses at gunpoint, stealing cash and cell phones. Brooks acted as the getaway driver.
Less than two hours after the robbery at United Community Bank, law enforcement apprehended Duako and Brooks. Law enforcement recovered more than $9,000 in cash from Duako’s possession – approximately matching the amount stolen during five robberies on October 30. Police also recovered several cell phones taken during the Sprint store robbery.
Kujo Duako, 35, of Ghana was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jean-Paul Boulee on July 31 to 16 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was convicted of robbery; conspiracy to commit robbery; possession of a firearm during a crime of violence; and armed bank robbery on April 24 after pleading guilty.
Sammetrius Brooks, 33, of Atlanta was sentenced by Judge Boulee on September 29 last year to 11 years nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery; armed bank robbery; and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on June 17 last year after pleading guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Clayton County Police Department; South Fulton Police Department; Riverdale Police Department; Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and Joseph Plummer prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together all levels of law enforcement with communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26 last year, PSN launched its violent crime reduction strategy based on fostering trust within communities; supporting community-based organizations preventing violence before it occurs; setting focused strategic enforcement priorities; measuring results.
For further information please contact U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404)581-6016.
The Internet address for U.S Attorney’s Office for Northern District Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga