Local man pleads guilty to armed robberies

BALTIMORE - A local man faces at least 20 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to a series of robberies of armored cars in Silver Spring and Ellicott City.

According to U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, David Marquise Howard, 27, of Baltimore, helped organize the robberies of Dunbar Armored at gunpoint, stealing $550,000 cash, as well as handguns from Dunbar employees. The heists occurred between April 29, 2009 to April 4, 2011.

Howard and an accomplice wore disguises, purchased "throw-away" cars and used disposable cell phones during the commission of the robberies.

Howard faces a maximum to years in prison for conspiracy to commit robery, as well as a consecutive minimum sentence of seven years for the first count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He also faces a consecutive 25-year sentence for a second count of using and brandishing a gun in commission of a crime.

U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis is scheduled to sentence Howard on November, 20th.