Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, II announces that 25 year-old Javarius Bumpers of Erie, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty as charged to Robbery in the First Degree before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case. This was the highest charge for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Bumpers did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Bumpers’ conviction stems from March 17, 2014 armed robbery in the City of Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood. Bumpers’ pistol-whipped and stole a cell phone from an 18 year-old man who was walking home from work. Two eyewitnesses came to the victim’s aid and pursued the assailant, but turned back when they were menaced by him. Fortunately Buffalo Police Officer Eric Quintana and Lieutenant Mary Hanley promptly responded and apprehend Bumpers, who was still in possession of both his weapon and the victim’s property.

Bumpers faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison when he is sentenced on January 2, 2015 by Judge Case. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James R. Gardner, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau.