Two men sentenced for robbing Richmond vape shops, assaulting employees

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Two men will each serve nearly two decades in prison after they robbed multiple Richmond vape shops at gunpoint, assaulting and zip-tying shop employees.

Fourty-three-year-old Calvin Shawn Johnson and 19-year-old Koriyon Demantra Weaver were sentenced to 18 years and 19 years in prison, respectively, on charges relating to two March 2025 armed robberies in the city of Richmond, according to a March 20 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The first robbery took place on March 2, 2025 at a vape shop on Semmes Avenue. Per court documents, Johnson and Weaver -- as well as an unidentified juvenile -- entered the shop wearing masks and gloves.

The robbers proceeded to hit two victims over the head with their guns as they stole both cash and merchandise from the shop, per the DOJ. They then fled in a large SUV.

61-year-old man charged with second-degree murder after man found dead inside Henrico home

The group then hit a second vape shop on Hull Street Road a few days later on March 9, 2025.

While robbing the store, they zip-tied three employees, held them at gunpoint and took victims' cash and cellphones. According to the DOJ, Weaver hit one of the victims in the head with his gun. The robbers then fled, taking a cash register with them.

They were later pulled over by the Richmond Police Department. All three were arrested.

Investigators determined that Weaver had previously robbed the Semmes Avenue vape shop on Feb. 12, 2025.

Over $22 million worth of drugs seized by Virginia State Police in one week

Johnson was charged with Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence, while Weaver was charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Both men pleaded guilty in late 2025.