Vicious Attack Leads to Seventy-Five-Year Sentence

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a seventy-five-year sentence against a Crips gang member who pistol-whipped a Dollar General employee with a handgun during a robbery. Charles Bernard Griffin, 41, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Robbery and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Judge Scott Green handed down the sentence today.

In a two-day trial in March, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Phil Morton explained to the jury that on June 8, 2017, Griffin entered the Dollar General on McCalla Avenue brandishing a handgun and demanding money. While the clerk was attempting to open the cash drawer, Griffin bludgeoned the victim numerous times with the pistol before leaving with the entire cash drawer. The victim was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he underwent facial reconstruction surgery for the injuries he sustained.

“This dangerous repeat offender is off our streets because of the bravery of this victim who stood up to gang violence in our community,” said DA Charme Allen.

Griffin has eight prior felony convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Theft, Evading Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Griffin has also been classified as a member of the Crips criminal street gang.

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.