Portsmouth Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Staging Armed Robbery of Norfolk Acquaintance’s Home in 2022
NORFOLK, Va. – Today, 27-year-old De'Shawn Talajuwon Johnson was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to an active 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery and statutory burglary from a 2022 home invasion.
On Aug. 17, 2022, the victim invited Mr. Johnson to his residence. When Mr. Johnson arrived, the two went toward the back of the home to a room where Mr. Johnson asked the victim for a cigarette despite knowing the victim did not smoke. When Mr. Johnson went back toward the front door saying he was going to get cigarettes, the victim followed. Mr. Johnson then opened the front door and let two other people brandishing firearms into the home. One of the men forced the victim onto the floor, held a gun to his head, and threatened to kill him if he spoke. Mr. Johnson and the two others then stole several of the victim’s belongings, including a handgun, a cell phone, a tablet, and three pairs of Jordan shoes.
The victim reported the home invasion to Norfolk Police and was only able to identify Mr. Johnson as a suspect. Norfolk Police swore out warrants for Mr. Johnson’s arrest, and Mr. Johnson was arrested at his Portsmouth residence on Aug. 26, 2022. A search warrant was executed on Mr. Johnson’s home, and some of the victim’s stolen property was recovered, including several cards with the victim’s name on them. After being provided his legal rights, Mr. Johnson confessed to his role in the robbery.
Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty on June 12, 2023, to armed robbery and statutory burglary, and Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted his plea. On Friday, Judge Rigney sentenced Mr. Johnson to 10 active years in prison, with an additional five years suspended on the conditions that he have no contact with the victim, that he pay restitution to the victim, and that he complete five years of uniform good behavior.
“Armed home invasions are extremely dangerous and often lead to the death or injury of the victim, the perpetrator, or both,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Johnson set off a dangerous situation, and we are lucky the victim was not hurt. Mr. Johnson has earned a ten-year sentence for what he did.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Madeline C. Woodruff prosecuted Mr. Johnson’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
If you have information regarding the other individuals involved in this crime, please call the Norfolk Police Homicide Section at 757-664-7023, contact Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, or submit a tip through the P3 Tips app.
###