2 charged in string of armed robberies

Two Columbus men have been charged in a series of internet cafe robberies, and one faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted in the slaying of an East Side couple inside one of the cafes.

Dezhan Townsend, 20, of the South Side, and Desjuan Harris, 24, of the East Side, were arraigned Friday in federal district

court in Columbus. The two men, who are brothers, were arrested Wednesday by Columbus police SWAT officers.

Townsend is accused of two robberies at the Players Paradise internet cafe, one on Dec. 10 and one six weeks later, on Jan. 20.

Joseph Arrington, 38, and his wife, 52-year-old Karen Arrington, were working Jan. 20 inside the Players Paradise internet cafe, 3439 E. Broad St., when they were found dead about 4 a.m. The business, which offers computers and online access for a fee, typically is open around the clock.

Joseph Arrington’s family told The Dispatch in January that he had told them he was behind glass and always armed.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal charges, video surveillance from Players Paradise showed two suspects wearing hoodies entering the business and positioning themselves near an office door.

One of the men was

believed to be pretending to play a game. But when Karen Arrington attempted to go into the back office, one of the two attacked her, the affidavit states.

Joseph Arrington, who was armed, confronted the men, and both the Arringtons were shot and killed by one of the robbers, who got away with an unspecified amount of money, the affidavit states.

In the Dec. 10 robbery at Players Paradise, authorities said Harris and Townsend struck around 2:15 p.m., forcing an employee to open the safe. The robbers fled with about $30,000.

Court records indicate Townsend’s cellphone had a video on it from Dec. 10 in which a person can be seen counting money.

Townsend is also charged in connection with a Jan. 7 armed robbery at the Planet Jackpot internet cafe, located at 1245 Alum Creek Drive on the South Side.

In that robbery, one suspect went into the business and walked to a back storage area, where patrons aren’t allowed, according to court records. That suspect opened a back door and allowed two other suspects into the business. The men then woke an employee who was sleeping, stealing about $2,400.

Harris is charged with being involved in the first robbery of Players Paradise, on Dec. 8, and the robbery of Planet Jackpot.

Both men are charged with violations of the Hobbs Act, which outlaws interference with interstate commerce, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Benjamin Glassman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, said because internet cafes operate in interstate commerce as defined by law, a robbery of those businesses is a violation of federal law.

The gunman in the fatal shooting of the Arringtons could potentially receive the death penalty, but no decision has been made as to whether that will be sought. Any decision about whether to pursue the death penalty would need to be made by Attorney General William Barr, Glassman said.

Townsend and Harris were both ordered held without bond by federal Magistrate Judge Chelsey Vascura during Friday’s hearings.