Former D.C. cop sentenced for robbery, murder

A former Metropolitan Police officer was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison for serving as a lookout in an armed carjacking and robbery that led to a fatal shooting.

Reginald Jones, a six-year veteran who was assigned to the department’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division, pleaded guilty in August 2010 to conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree murder.

Authorities said that on Nov. 30, 2009, Jones and longtime friend Raylen Wilkerson met at Wilkerson’s automotive detailing shop in Suitland and planned a robbery with four other men — Arvel Alston, Roshun Parker, Arvel Crawford, and Jarvis Clark.

At about 9 p.m. the next day, Jones drove two of the men in his police cruiser to the 4300 block of Fourth Street in Southeast and cleared out people who were hanging out in the area. One accomplice then got out of Jones’ police cruiser and participated in an armed attack as Jones and another accomplice looked on.

But a scuffle ensued, and shots were fired. The target of the robbery was struck but survived his injuries. Alston, 40, was fatally shot by his son, Crawford, who was also participating in the robbery.

“I’m either gonna have to leave the area or get out and start shooting,” Jones told Wilkerson, according to court papers. The papers said the police cruiser drove away as a female witness ran to the officer for assistance.

Wilkerson, 35, of Landover, was found guilty in July of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced in September to 21 years in prison.

Crawford, now 20, of the District, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing his father.

Roshun Parker, 29, and Jarvis Clark, 21, both of Temple Hills, cooperated with prosecutors and testified against Wilkerson. Parker was sentenced to three years in prison, and Clark was sentenced to time served and given probation.

Prosecutors said Jones had agreed to testify against a co-defendant in the case, but they found “issues with his veracity.”