Armed Robber Sentenced to Over 24 Years for Committing Multiple Business Robberies

Memphis, TN – Joshua Beason, 26, has been sentenced to 293 months in federal prison for committing multiple business robberies and brandishing a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on June 28, 2019, Beason and two co-defendants robbed multiple Memphis-area gas stations in what was described in court as a “night of terror.”

At approximately 1:10 a.m., Beason and co-defendant 1 approached a store clerk outside of the Mapco Express on Raleigh Millington Road, armed with semi-automatic handguns with extended magazines. They threatened the clerk, forced her inside, and removed money from the register.

Less than an hour later, the suspects proceeded to the Murphy Express on Summer Avenue. Beason and co-defendant 2 placed a handgun to the side of a store clerk, forced him inside the store, and threatened the lives of both store clerks. They then took money from the register and fled the scene.

Approximately thirty minutes later, the suspects robbed the Exxon on Summer Avenue. As Beason and co-defendant 2 entered the business, the clerk ran to the back of the store. While running, he heard Beason and co-defendant 2 yell “don’t move or I will shoot” and “shoot, shoot.” The group removed the cash drawer and fled the scene.

Minutes later, the suspects participated in a home invasion in the 2000 block of West Barbara Circle. The resident, as well as the co-defendants were shot. All three survived. Beason and his co-defendants were apprehended at a local emergency room.

On November 2, 2020, Beason pled guilty to three counts of robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

On May 14, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Beason to 293 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Beason’s co-defendants are scheduled for trial in July 2021.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Whitmore and Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.