Newport News man sentenced to over 38 years in prison for armed bank robberies
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. / Thursday, October 15, 2026 – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 38 years and six months in prison following his conviction at trial for series of armed bank robberies.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Tyrone K. Jefferson, 38, worked for a rental car company where he had access to rental cars and license plates owned by the company. Jefferson stole several license plates and a sedan from the company. From Feb. 4 to Feb. 26, 2025, Jefferson used the sedan to rob a credit union and two banks. In each robbery, Jefferson threw a bag to tellers and demanded that it be filled with money, with no dye or trackers. Jefferson brandished a firearm during two of the robberies. He also used the stolen vehicle to visit a Portsmouth casino after the robberies.
On Feb. 27, 2025, Newport News Police attempted to stop the stolen sedan, but Jefferson fled at a high rate of speed, abandoned the vehicle, and escaped on foot. Police located mail, court documents and other paperwork addressed to Jefferson in the vehicle.
On March 1, 2025, Jefferson robbed another credit union by brandishing a firearm and demanding that two tellers fill a bag with money. Jefferson then fled on foot.
On March 27, 2025, police traced Jefferson to the same Portsmouth casino, to which he traveled in a rented vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered rental paperwork in Jefferson’s name, a stolen handgun, an extended magazine, a black balaclava mask, traffic safety vest, and stolen license plates used in the earlier robberies.
Jefferson has five previous felony convictions, including for assault of a federal employee (2018 for macing a Navy police officer); possession of stolen property and hit and run (2008); grand larceny of a motor vehicle (2012); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and eluding police (2006). As a convicted felon, Jefferson cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
A federal jury convicted Jefferson on April 24 on charges of bank robbery, bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, Smithfield Police Department, Henrico County Police Division, and Newport News Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mack Coleman and Alyson C. Yates prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-53.
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Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
