LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — A Lynchburg jury has convicted 18-year-old Keyon Da’Monta Petty for an October 7, 2021, armed robbery that happened in the area of Fifth and Jackson Street.
Petty was convicted of the following charges on Friday, Nov. 18:
- Three counts of robbery by use of a firearm
- Three counts of use of a firearm during a felony
- Possession of a handgun by a minor
- Criminal street gang participation
Police say three adult teenagers and a child were inside a car and one of the adults had arranged to meet a man through Facebook, to sell a phone. A woman told officers she agreed to meet the person on Fourth street between Jackson and Polk Street.
According to a press release, when the group of four teens approached the vehicle one of the teens pulled out a gun and the other three surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn. The teens took purses with cash in them and cell phones.
LPD says a social media video was made and posted by Petty to his account minutes before the incident. The video depicted Petty with three other juveniles displaying firearms that were found in Petty’s backpack. The video reportedly also showed the juveniles displaying hand signs in what police say was consistent with the 8 Tray Crips, a criminal street gang. Petty was just 17 at the time.
Petty is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 11, 2023, at 9 a.m.
