KC Reporter

A Kansas City man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly robbing fourteen convenience stores at gunpoint and attempting to rob another. Marquise L. North, 31, faces a thirty-one count indictment that includes charges of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment claims that North committed these robberies between July 26, 2024, and September 21, 2024. During each incident, he is alleged to have brandished a firearm. Federal law prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from possessing firearms or ammunition; North has a prior conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm.

"The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations," the release notes. "Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence."

If convicted under federal statutes, North could face up to life imprisonment without parole. Brandishing a firearm during violent crimes carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years without parole. Sentencing will depend on advisory guidelines and other factors determined by the court after an investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings is prosecuting the case following investigations by the FBI and police departments in Kansas City, Raytown, and Independence.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on community trust, support for violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and results measurement.