Baltimore City Wire

After a nine-day trial, a federal jury has convicted Thaddeus Lamont Wills, 51, and Keionta Shawn Hagens, 44, both from Waldorf, Maryland. The charges include interference with interstate commerce by robbery, conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, carjacking, and murder.

The conviction was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Troy D. Berry of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that on November 12, 2020, Wills and Hagens were involved in an armed robbery at Business-1 where they stole cash and merchandise from an employee and personal property from a customer. They then used firearms to take a Dodge Ram pickup truck to escape.

Further evidence showed that on November 17, 2020, they used a stolen Ford F-150 to rob Business-2. During this incident, they tied up an employee's hands while stealing cash and merchandise. Between November 12 and November 26, they concealed both stolen vehicles in Brandywine, Maryland.

On January 6, 2021, in Waldorf, Maryland, Wills participated in another carjacking involving a Honda Pilot SUV which was later used for traveling into Virginia for further robberies at Business-3 on January 7. The vehicle was subsequently burned upon returning to Maryland.

On January 18, Wills and Hagens committed another robbery at Business-4 where they killed the owner before fleeing with stolen goods using another vehicle taken at gunpoint.

Wills faces life imprisonment for murder during the January 18 robbery among other charges including multiple counts related to firearms use during crimes. Hagens faces similar charges with potential life sentences as well.

Sentencing is scheduled by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang for February next year: Wills on February 7th and Hagens on February 14th.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through community collaboration alongside law enforcement agencies.

U.S Attorney Barron commended various law enforcement bodies involved in this investigation while thanking Assistant U.S Attorneys William Moomau and Patrick D Kibbe handling prosecution duties.

For more information about initiatives from Maryland’s U.S Attorney’s Office visit their official website links provided above.