Northeast robber faces
lengthy stint behind bars

A Northeast man is facing a possible sentence of life in federal prison after admitting Monday to robbing five local stores at gunpoint in early 2005, including four Chinese restaurants.
Lamar Rayson, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery. He also pleaded guilty to committing a Nov. 17, 2006, carjacking in Germantown, as well as two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 32 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
According to U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, whose office prosecuted the case, two juvenile accomplices joined Rayson in the robberies and also pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the crime. The federal prosecutor did not name the juveniles or the specific charges against them.
According to Meehan, Rayson stole about $1,750 in the five 2005 robberies. The locations included 7-Eleven at 6919 Torresdale Ave. on Feb. 8 that year; Honk Kong Chinese Restaurant at 8052 Frankford Ave., also on Feb. 8; Long Yuan Chinese Restaurant, at 6634 Frankford Ave. on Feb. 28; Palm Tree Chinese Restaurant at 6548 Torresdale Ave. on March 7; and Lee’s Chinese Restaurant at 9226 Ashton Road on March 8.
Rayson brandished a shotgun while robbing the 7-Eleven and a black semi-automatic pistol during the carjacking, according to federal court documents.
Rayson was initially charged locally, local court documents show. He was arrested on March 9, 2005, on a series of weapons charges. Two days later, he made bail, which was set at $1,500, and was released.
It wasn’t until April 19, 2005, that authorities captured Rayson and charged him with a series of armed robberies. Local charges were withdrawn on Dec. 6 that year and Rayson was again released.
On March 6, 2006, he was arrested for drug possession. The following July, he pleaded guilty in that case and was sentenced to probation.
On Aug. 10, 2006, he was arrested again for driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Two days later, he was released after posting $1,000 bail. While awaiting trial in that case, he committed the Nov. 17, 2006, carjacking. He was arrested that day.
A federal grand jury later indicted Rayson in connection with the carjacking, while the U.S. attorney charged him with the 7-Eleven robbery in an information. Rayson admitted to the other holdups as part of his robbery plea.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 19. ••