Department of Justice

CINCINNATI – The lead of four defendants convicted of robbing an area chicken wings restaurant at gunpoint was sentenced in federal court to 126 months in prison.

Jammell Johnson, 28, of Cincinnati, received a sentence at the top of the federal sentencing guidelines for his role in the armed robbery conspiracy.

According to court documents, on July 28, 2019, Johnson and three others – including the restaurant’s manager Michael Jointer – robbed the WingStop on Galbraith Road in Springfield Township.

Johnson’s plea documents detail that he and the co-defendants had planned to place a carryout food order around closing time, which WingStop would honor after the restaurant had closed. According to their plan, Johnson and co-conspirator Martez Brown would rob the restaurant and manager Jointer would lead them to the safe. Jointer chose the date based on when the safe would contain the most cash.

Springfield Township police officers became aware of the plan and initiated surveillance.

A fourth defendant, Dwayne Palmore, purchased clothing items and gloves for use during the robbery and acted as a lookout on scene at WingStop.

Johnson and Brown brandished firearms and stole approximately $2,600 in cash from the restaurant.

Law enforcement officials used physical and aerial surveillance prior to, during, and after the robbery. Co-conspirators were arrested following vehicle and foot pursuits. Officers deployed nearby K-9 units to help apprehend the defendants.

Jointer, Brown and Palmore have each pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Springfield Township Police Chief Rick Bley; and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.

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