SEATTLE — A local man was sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison on Friday after pleading guilty to a series of armed robberies of pot shops around the Seattle area.
Caiden James Charlton, 19, was arrested in June 2023 after he was connected to three armed robberies between May and June 2023. In July, Charlton plead guilty to playing a role in seven different armed robberies.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Charlton first robbed Herb's House in Seattle on May 30, 2023. On the same day, Charlton also robbed West Seattle Cannabis and Hashtag Cannabis in Seattle.
On June 10, 2023, Charlton and an accomplice targeted Seattle's Oz Cannabis. The next day, Charlton robbed Novel Tree MJ in Bellevue and a day later, Seaweed Cannabis in Edmonds, prosecutors say.
On June 21, 2023, Charlton robbed Dockside Cannabis in Ballard with accomplices. Prosecutors say Charlton's distinct face tattoos were observed by victims and helped connect the suspect to the crimes.
In all of the robberies, money and a "large amount of marijuana products" were stolen. Prosecutors say in one of the robberies, a safe was stolen by detaching it from the floor.
“The offense conduct in this case is extremely serious," wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg in asking for an 8-year prison sentence. "Charlton went on a violent crime spree, robbing seven marijuana dispensaries over the course of 30 days. During each robbery, he and/or his accomplices were armed with firearms and used them – brandishing the guns, pointing them directly at the victims, etc. It is very fortunate that no one was shot or otherwise injured. The Court is well aware that similar robberies often end up with shootings and/or deaths, when victims act in ways not expected by the perpetrators or with the accidental discharge of a firearm.”
Charlton will be on three years of supervised release after his prison term.
