Montgomery Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Series of Armed Robberies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A Montgomery man was sentenced today to 300 months in federal prison for his role in a series of armed robberies targeting businesses throughout Montgomery.

On August 26, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 21-year-old Najari Denarka Mitchell of Montgomery to 25 years in federal prison. Mitchell previously pleaded guilty to multiple federal robbery and firearm 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.

United States Attorney Thomas Govan and Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Flowers with the FBI Mobile Division made the announcement.

"Mr. Mitchell participated in multiple armed robberies that terrorized employees and customers and put innocent people at risk," said U.S. Attorney Govan. "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."

"Our partnerships remain essential to driving violent crime down to historic lows," said Special Agent in Charge Flowers. "Today's sentence of Mr. Mitchell reflects the strength of those collaborations and our shared commitment to protecting the public. This case is a clear example of what happens when federal, state, and local agencies work as one team. Together with our partners, we remain committed to supporting victims and strengthening stability across the region."

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.

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 firearm. 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 brandishing a firearm 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, 2026.

The FBI and Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Andreu and Eric M. Counts prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and the Middle District of Alabama's Violent Offender Intervention and Deterrence (VOID) program.

PSN is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges.

As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

VOID aims to reduce violent crime by enhancing coordination, communication, and collaboration with law enforcement partners. The program focuses on working directly with local agencies and traditional federal partners to prosecute violent offenders and armed felons, dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and build proactive cases targeting gangs and repeat violent offenders. VOID prioritizes the most serious violent crime cases and fosters close working relationships with state and local prosecutors and law enforcement throughout the Montgomery River Region.