Montgomery man sentenced to federal prison for string of armed robberies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – A Montgomery man has been sentenced 25 years in federal prison for his role in a series of armed robberies targeting businesses throughout Montgomery.

Today, a federal judge sentenced 21-year-old Najari Denarka Mitchell of Montgomery after he had pleaded guilty to multiple federal robbery and gun charges arising from armed robberies committed during the summer of 2025. Following his prison sentence, Mitchell will serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Mr. Mitchell participated in multiple armed robberies that terrorized employees and customers and put innocent people at risk,” U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan said. “His 25-year federal sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct and should serve as a warning to others who choose to use firearms to commit violent crimes.”

According to his plea agreement and other court records, between June 5 and July 28, 2025, Mitchell committed four armed robberies targeting a cell phone store and three gas stations throughout Montgomery, including businesses located on Troy Highway, Eastern Boulevard and Virginia Loop Road.

Govan said Mitchell later partnered with co-defendant Rayshon Frances Demonta Hall in three additional armed robberies. On August 1, 2025, Mitchell and Hall robbed a fast-food restaurant on Troy Highway while threatening an employee with a gun. The following day, they robbed an auto parts store on Fairview Avenue. On August 4, 2025, Mitchell and Hall robbed a gas station on Troy Highway. Mitchell also pleaded guilty to his role in an attempted robbery of an auto parts store in Montgomery involving Hall.

In addition to the robbery offenses, Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts of having a gun during and in relation to a federal crime of violence.

Mitchell’s co-defendant, Hall, was convicted by a federal jury on May 20, 2026, of three counts of robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence. Hall is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9.

— Information from the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Alabama