Seven men plead guilty to Pennsylvania rest stop robberies targeting truckers

Seven men pleaded guilty to charges related to a series of robberies targeting truck drivers at rest stops in Pennsylvania.

On March 2, 2026,  John Black, Wendell Compton, Robert Murphy, Darrell Noel, Robert Chandler, Adam Smith and Danny Williams each pleaded guilty to five counts of third-degree felony robbery, according to to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

The guilty pleas come as the seven men were scheduled to face trial this week.

Officials say that in April 2023, the group targeted truckers at rest stops on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and along other highways in Somerset, Westmoreland, and Dauphin counties.

WTAE reported that the robbery scheme involved telling truckers that someone had won the lottery and would double whatever money the truckers were carrying in their wallets. When the men were arrested in April 2023, they were reportedly in possession of $21,000 worth of cash, jewelry, and other items including C.B. radios and cell phones.

Authorities described the crimes as “distraction-style robberies.” No weapons were used and no one was hurt.

“This group conspired in a series of brazen robberies that endangered motorists targeted at random,” Attorney General Sunday said. “The fine investigative work from our partners with the state police led to these appropriate plea resolutions.”

After pleading guilty, the seven men were each sentenced to at least three months in prison to be followed by a period of supervised release.