Franklin Men Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Firearms Offenses (DOJ)

NORFOLK, Va. - Two Franklin men were sentenced to eight years and four months in prison today for robbery and firearms crimes relating to a 2024 robbery.

According to court documents, Leondre Douglas, aka Worm, 27, set up a drug transaction on Oct. 28, 2024, with a marijuana dealer and Janathian Porter, aka Frankboy Nate, Nate, or Nate Dog, 28. When they met for the transaction, Porter robbed the dealer at gunpoint, taking the dealer's firearm. Porter and Douglas then fled in separate vehicles.

On Nov. 1, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that reportedly had been involved in the Oct. 28, 2024, robbery. Douglas was driving, and three children were inside the vehicle. Officers recovered a stolen handgun from underneath the driver seat. As a previously convicted felon, Douglas cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

On Nov. 12, 2024, a man observed Porter rummaging through the man's vehicle at his home. The victim entered his vehicle, noticed that a speaker had been stolen, and followed Porter, who was attempting to flee in another vehicle. The victim pursued Porter to the end of a cul-de-sac, where Porter shot at the victim. Shell casings at the scene matched a firearm that a witness reported stolen the same evening from his vehicle near where Porter was observed breaking into cars.

Porter is an eight-time convicted felon, including for breaking and entering, grand larceny, buying/receiving stolen goods, eluding/endangering police, and twice each for probation violations and hit and run.

Douglas pled guilty on Aug. 25, 2025, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A federal jury convicted Porter on Aug. 26, 2025, of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case. The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation of the Oct. 28, 2024, and Nov. 1, 2024, offenses. The Franklin Police Department assisted in the investigation of the Nov. 12, 2024, offense.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Cheney and Matthew Heck and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikolas Nelson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-62, 2:25-cr-77, and 2:25-cr-78.