December 21, 2025 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Jaray Washington, 44, of Oakland, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to committing eight armed robberies throughout the East Bay over a three-week span in 2024, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Deante Hunt, 27, of San Lorenzo, pleaded guilty on November 14, 2025, to one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce for his participation in two of the armed robberies.

In pleading guilty, Washington admitted to robbing multiple gas stations and convenience of gas stations, convenience stores, and a fast-food restaurant between January 14, 2024, and February 2, 2024, including:

• On January 14, 2024, Washington, with a pistol in hand, robbed a gas station snack shop on Hesperian Boulevard in Hayward, during which he racked the pistol’s slide when he demanded money from the store clerk and demanded that the clerk provide money from the store’s safe.
• On January 22, 2024, Washington, carrying a pistol, robbed a gas station snack shop on Winston Avenue in Hayward and took by force money and cigarettes from the store clerk and jewelry, a wallet, and an iPhone from a store customer.
• On January 31, 2024, during a robbery of a gas station store on Castro Valley Boulevard in Castro Valley, Washington grabbed a store clerk from behind and held a pistol against the clerk’s body, while Hunt demanded money from the cash register and took money from the clerk’s pockets.  The two men took approximately $1,500 in U.S. currency from the store’s two cash registers and approximately 10 cartons of cigarettes.
• On February 2, 2024, Washington and Hunt robbed a fast-food restaurant on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward, during which Washington used a pistol to force both female employees into a back office at gunpoint.  Hunt took over $1,000 in cash.

In addition, during a search of Washington’s residence on February 13, 2024, law enforcement found a loaded semiautomatic Glock model 19 pistol, which Washington admitted was the same firearm he used in the eight robberies.  Washington possessed the firearm despite having previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Washington is currently in federal custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2026.  Hunt is currently released on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2026.

Each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of robbery affecting interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a).  Washington also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonah Ross and Kelly Volkar are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Alycee Lane, Mark DiCenzo, and Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, Hayward Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Livermore Police Department, San Leandro Police Department, and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: DOJ Release