Houston Area Armed Robberies Mastermind Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years
Federal prosecutors have announced that the mastermind behind a string of armed robberies in the Houston area, along with his former classmates, will spend nearly two decades locked up. Danial Starr, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm.
The Crimes
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, Starr and three other men, his former high school classmates, carried out a series of gunpoint robberies in January 2024. On January 27, the crew hit three Houston-area smoke shops and a liquor store. Investigators said his former classmates/accomplices distracted employees by posing as customers and being lookouts, while Starr robbed them at gunpoint.
Repeat Offense
Two days later, Starr returned to one of the same locations, the Spring Smoke Shop on Veterans Memorial Drive, and again threatened an employee at gunpoint while stealing cash and smoke products. This repeat offense demonstrated the brazen nature of Starr’s crimes and the significant threat he posed to the community.
Sentencing of Accomplices
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that two of the three accomplices have already been given prison sentences. Back in July, Calvin Deshazo, 19, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 112 months, while Patrick Norman, 20, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 33 months.
Starr’s Sentence
The court noted Starr’s difficult upbringing as an orphan in the foster care system but emphasized the long-lasting trauma suffered by the robbery victims. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei stated, “Hard-working, law-abiding people should be able to go about their day without having their lives threatened in armed robberies. This sentence was richly deserved. A difficult childhood is not an excuse for committing a crime.” A judge sentenced the 21-year-old to a total of 238 months in prison — just under 20 years. His sentence includes 70 months for the robberies and 168 months for the firearms charges, which must run consecutively.
Restitution and Supervised Release
He was also ordered to pay $1,960 in restitution to the victims and will serve three years of supervised release once his prison term is complete. This comprehensive sentence aims to hold Starr accountable for his actions, provide restitution to the victims, and ensure public safety upon his release.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Danial Starr and his accomplices brings closure to the victims of these armed robberies and serves as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar criminal activities. The outcome of this case underscores the commitment of law enforcement and the judicial system to protecting the community and upholding justice. As U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei emphasized, a difficult upbringing does not justify criminal behavior, and those who commit crimes must face the consequences of their actions.
