Crips Gang Member Sentenced to Twenty Years for Robbing Teenagers

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a twenty-year sentence against a gang member who robbed four teenagers in Mechanicsville while they were playing basketball. Dashun Jawuan Shackleford, 19, was convicted in June of four counts of Aggravated Robbery, and the jury found that Shackleford was a member of the Crips street gang. Judge Steve Sword announced the twenty-year sentence today.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton explained to the jury that on September 24, 2016, Shackleford pulled a gun on four teenagers who were playing basketball and demanded their property. Shackleford and his co-defendant took cell phones, wallets, backpacks, a speaker, and shoes from the victims. The next day, one of the victims saw Shackleford and notified the Knoxville Police Department who arrested him in possession of a gun and some of the victims’ property.

“This crime was solved because the residents of Mechanicsville came forward to report this offense and protect their community from gang violence,” said DA Charme Allen.

Because of the nature of the offense, Shackleford must serve his sentence without the possibility of parole.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.