United Blood Nation members sentenced for violent crime spree targeting convenience stores in Virginia Beach and Norfolk
Virginia Beach, Virginia – Five men affiliated with the United Blood Nation gang have been sentenced to prison for a series of armed robberies that terrorized convenience stores across Virginia Beach and Norfolk in early 2022. The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen, bring closure to a crime spree that lasted two months and left a trail of violence and fear in the affected communities.
The Robbery Spree
The crime spree began on January 14, 2022, when Harold Edward Spencer III, 34, of Virginia Beach, and Kareem Doyle Ross, 34, of Newport News, robbed a Citgo Mini Mart in Virginia Beach. Armed with firearms, they stole money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. Later that same day, they targeted a Circle D Food Mart, where Spencer fired his weapon twice at a fleeing customer.
Over the next two months, Spencer and Ross carried out additional armed robberies, sometimes joined by other accomplices. These included:
- February 7, 2022: Spencer, Ross, and another individual robbed the Express Food Mart in Norfolk, stealing money, lottery tickets, and cigars.
- February 19, 2022: Spencer, Ross, and Marvin Eugene Lockhart Jr., 34, of Virginia Beach, robbed a Crown Gas Station in Virginia Beach, taking money and cigarettes.
- March 5, 2022: Spencer, Ross, and Roshaun Devon Griffin, 36, of Virginia Beach, robbed the Arrowhead Food Mart, stealing money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets.
- March 12, 2022: Spencer, Ross, and Lockhart targeted the Jr. Market in Norfolk, stealing money and lottery tickets.
The spree culminated in an attempted robbery on March 18, 2022, at the Tiger Mart in Virginia Beach. All five men—Spencer, Ross, Lockhart, Griffin, and Jon Demetrious Jacques Morgan, 34, of Portsmouth—were involved. After aborting the robbery attempt, they fled in a vehicle. Police used spike strips to stop them, and the men were arrested after discarding their firearms during the escape.
Sentencing Outcomes
Each of the five men faced serious charges and significant prison sentences:
- Harold Edward Spencer III: Convicted at trial, Spencer received a 42-year and three-month sentence for his leadership role in the crimes and the use of a firearm during acts of violence.
- Kareem Doyle Ross: Pleading guilty to multiple charges, Ross was sentenced to 27 years and one month in prison for his involvement in the robberies and firearm-related offenses.
- Marvin Eugene Lockhart Jr.: Lockhart, who even left a family member’s birthday party to commit a robbery, pled guilty and was sentenced to 22 years and one month in prison.
- Roshaun Devon Griffin: Griffin pled guilty to several charges and received a 15-year and four-month sentence for his role in the armed robberies.
- Jon Demetrious Jacques Morgan: Morgan, convicted at trial, was sentenced to seven years and three months for his participation in the crimes and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber, along with Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate, announced the sentences following Lockhart’s recent sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler and Joseph E. DePadilla.
