Gastonia man loses disguise during robbery, then gets 10 years in court

A Gastonia man who accidently knocked off part of his disguise while robbing a convenience store was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison Tuesday.

Davonte Everett, 24, robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store at 2901 Yorkmont Road, in Charlotte on July 3, 2020, according to court records in U.S. District Court.

Everett went into the store wearing a hat and had his face covered. He walked to the back of the store, picked up an item, and approached the cash register. When the store clerk opened the register to complete the sale, Everett pulled a black semiautomatic firearm from his pocket and pointed it at the clerk, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Everett then reached over the counter and took cash from the register. As he did so, Everett’s head hit the plastic barrier over the counter knocking his hat off, and revealing his hair, eyes, and top of his face. Everett fled the scene with the store’s cash.

According to court records, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer investigating the robbery recognized Everett and identified him as the robber. Everett was subsequently arrested on state charges.

On March 31, 2022, Everett pleaded guilty to a federal Hobbs Act robbery offense and to brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, a crime of violence.

Everett is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

Everett will remain on probation for five years after his release from prison.

ou can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.