Executive Summary
- Jaray Washington and Deante Hunt pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a series of armed robberies.
- The spree targeted businesses in Castro Valley and Hayward, involving gunpoint holdups.
- Washington admitted to eight robberies and firearm possession; Hunt pleaded to two robbery counts.
- Police recovered a Glock 19 pistol used in the crimes during a search of Washington’s home.
- Sentencing is scheduled for early 2026, with the defendants facing up to 20 years per robbery count.
Two East Bay men have pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a violent series of armed robberies targeting gas stations and restaurants in early 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jaray Washington, 44, and Deante Hunt, 27, entered their pleas on Friday, admitting to a crime spree that terrorized employees across the region. Prosecutors stated that the pair collaborated to rob a gas station and a fast-food outlet at gunpoint. Washington further admitted to committing eight armed robberies in total and to being a felon in possession of a firearm, while Hunt pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.
Court documents describe a January 31, 2024, incident where both men targeted a Castro Valley gas station. Prosecutors detailed that Washington held a clerk at gunpoint while Hunt extracted cash from the victim’s pockets and the register, fleeing with approximately $1,500 and cigarettes. In a subsequent robbery at a Hayward restaurant, Washington allegedly forced two employees into a back office at gunpoint while Hunt seized over $1,000 in cash.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Washington’s residence in February 2024. During the search, police recovered a loaded Glock 19 semiautomatic pistol which investigators linked to the robberies. Washington had multiple prior felony convictions at the time of the firearm recovery.
Legal Ramifications
With the entry of these guilty pleas, the judicial process moves to the sentencing phase. Both defendants face a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each count of robbery affecting interstate commerce, along with substantial fines. Washington faces an additional maximum penalty of 15 years for the firearm possession charge. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for February and March, at which time the court will determine the final duration of confinement based on federal sentencing guidelines. While the defendants have admitted to the charges, the final terms of their penalties remain subject to the court’s determination.
