February 18, 2021
ATLANTA, Georgia—Dravion Sanchez Ware, 25, will be spending the rest of his life behind bars for a series of brutal armed robberies targeting Asian-owned and operated businesses in and around Atlanta back in 2017, according to Fox 5.
Ware was convicted back on August 2, 2019, on multiple charges, including conspiring to commit robberies and firing or brandishing a gun during robberies.
Ware’s trademark was pistol-whipping defenseless Asian victims who were not resisting him in any way. At least one male victim was sent to the hospital. Ware also shot three women, one in the back at point-blank range as she was kneeling on the floor face down and trembling on the floor, according to Fox 5. All three women survived.
“Ware terrorized the victims of these robberies and nearly killed one woman,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The complete disregard for the lives of his victims was shocking, and he received an appropriate sentence. We hope this provides some peace to the victims by ensuring that Ware will never again terrorize the communities of our district.”
Ware’s reign of tyranny spanned between October 7 and November 10, 2017, hitting at least nine businesses in Atlanta, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth, Stone Mountain, and Roswell.
According to prosecutors, Ware was assisted by Tabyron Rashad Smith, now 26, in his armed robbery spree. That ended after a multi-jurisdictional task force led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took Smith into custody on Nov. 21, 2017. Ware was arrested the next day, according to Fox 5.
Smith pleaded guilty on July 23, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit those robberies and four counts of discharging or brandishing a firearm during several of the robberies. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also was ordered to pay $135,951.81 in restitution.
Ware was convicted on Aug. 2, 2019, for conspiracy to commit robberies, five counts of robberies, and five counts of discharging or brandishing a firearm during the robberies. He was sentenced to serve five concurrent life terms in prison, plus six concurrent 20-year terms, as well as to pay restitution in the amount of $135,951.81.
“The GBI Crime Lab was instrumental in this case. Expert analysis and testimony helped lead to a successful prosecution. The GBI is committed to provide the highest quality forensic services in all cases. For over a month, these gang members targeted and terrorized the Asian business community. This sentence is evidence that this behavior will not be tolerated in the state of Georgia,” said Vic Reynolds, Director, GBI.
“Ware and Smith are indicative of the criminals who terrorize our communities and make them unsafe. Each day we put on our uniforms and put our lives on the line to fight crime, investigate cases like these, and do what it takes to keep our communities safe. When the courts convict these perpetrators, we are all vindicated. This news empowers us to keep doing the work we were called to do.” Interim Police Chief Rodney Bryant, Atlanta Police Department.
Feature Images via Gwinnett Daily Post & AllOnGeorgia