C-08-CR-25-000627

    

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Jason Shawn Smoot, Jr., 20, to 6 years in prison for Robbery. Upon release, Smoot will be on supervised probation for a period of five years. If he violates the terms of his probation, he faces an additional 6 years in prison.

On April 10, 2026, Smoot pleaded guilty to the aforementioned charge.

On September 29, 2025, officers with Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 300 block of Forest Lane in La Plata for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, who reported that he arranged to sell his PlayStation 5 and accompanying controllers through Facebook Marketplace. The victim was contacted by an individual using a profile later determined to belong to Smoot and agreed to meet for the transaction.

Smoot instructed the victim to go to Palmetto Court in La Plata. When the victim arrived with the PlayStation 5, which was stored in an Under Armour backpack, Smoot grabbed the backpack and brandished a weapon. Fearing for his safety, the victim surrendered his property.

Investigators obtained surveillance footage from a nearby residence that captured the suspect wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, black gym-style shorts, and Jordan Nike shoes, which was consistent with the victim’s description.

Through the course of the investigation, Smoot was identified as a suspect and detectives observed Smoot wearing similar clothes as the suspect of the robbery. He was subsequently apprehended and charged in connection with the robbery.