Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Nijah Jahni Mitchell (23, Orlando) guilty of Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, four counts of Hobbs Act robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Mitchell faces a minimum penalty of 28 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2025. Mitchell was indicted in April 2024, along with co-defendant Dany Telfort (20, Orlando). Telfort previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison.
According to evidence presented at trial, between March 23 and April 1, 2023, Mitchell and Telfort committed a string of nine armed robberies of convenience stores throughout Central Florida. The robberies occurred over three sprees on three separate evenings: the first spree included four stores, the second spree included three stores, and the third spree included two stores. During each of the robberies, Mitchell or Telfort entered the store, pointed a firearm at the clerks, and demanded money from the cash registers.
After the second spree, a witness obtained a partial license plate for the vehicle used by Mitchell and Telfort. The following evening, during the third spree, law enforcement observed the vehicle after the ninth robbery and gave chase. Mitchell and Telfort bailed from the moving vehicle and fled on foot. Telfort got away but Mitchell was apprehended that night. At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was wearing the same clothing and mask that he had worn during the third robbery spree, as depicted below. Mitchell also had a loaded Glock pistol on him when he was arrested. Telfort left behind a loaded Taurus pistol in the vehicle, which was later found to contain DNA linked to both Telfort and Mitchell.
Surveillance video of Mitchell during the eighth robbery on April 1, 2023
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Clermont Police Department, the Ocoee Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oakland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Noah P. Dorman, Rachel S. Lyons, and Megan Testerman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.