The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Larry Pyos Jr. on multiple federal robbery and firearm charges in an unpublished per curiam decision filed Feb. 4, 2026. The three-judge panel unanimously upheld the defendant's convictions without issuing a written opinion explaining their reasoning.
The case stems from a 2016 jury conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where Pyos was found guilty on 20 separate federal charges. The conviction included one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951, five counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery under the same statute.
Additionally, the jury convicted Pyos on multiple firearm-related charges, including two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii), three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), and eight counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
Senior District Judge Claude M. Hilton sentenced Pyos to an aggregate sentence of 1,390 months in prison in April 2017. The substantial sentence reflects the severity of the charges and the defendant's criminal history as a repeat offender subject to enhanced penalties under federal felon-in-possession statutes.
The Hobbs Act, originally enacted in 1946, criminalizes robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. Federal prosecutors frequently use the statute to prosecute robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce, including convenience stores, gas stations, and other commercial establishments. The law carries severe penalties, with robbery convictions punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
Pyos appealed his conviction through the Federal Public Defender's Office in Alexandria, Virginia, with representation by Federal Public Defender Geremy C. Kamens and Assistant Federal Public Defender Frances H. Pratt. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romy Bechara from the Alexandria office.
The Fourth Circuit panel that decided the case consisted of Circuit Judges Paul V. Niemeyer and James A. Wynn Jr., along with Senior Circuit Judge Barbara Milano Keenan. The court submitted the case for decision on Feb. 2, 2026, and issued its ruling two days later.
The per curiam affirmance means the appeals court found no reversible error in the district court proceedings or sentencing. Per curiam opinions are issued by the court as a whole rather than authored by an individual judge, typically used when the legal issues are straightforward or when the court unanimously agrees on the outcome without extensive legal analysis.
As an unpublished opinion, the Fourth Circuit's decision does not establish binding precedent for future cases in the circuit. However, the affirmance demonstrates the court's continued support for robust enforcement of federal robbery and firearm statutes, particularly in cases involving repeat offenders and crimes of violence.
The case highlights the federal government's aggressive prosecution strategy for violent crimes that cross state lines or affect interstate commerce. The combination of Hobbs Act robbery charges with federal firearm enhancements allows prosecutors to secure lengthy sentences that often exceed what would be available under state law.
The substantial prison sentence imposed on Pyos reflects Congress's intent to deter violent crime through enhanced penalties for defendants who use firearms during robberies or who continue to possess weapons despite prior felony convictions. The 1,390-month sentence translates to approximately 115 years in federal prison, effectively a life sentence.
Federal robbery prosecutions have increased in recent years as the Justice Department prioritizes violent crime enforcement. The Hobbs Act provides federal jurisdiction over robberies that might otherwise be prosecuted solely in state court, allowing federal prosecutors to bring cases with more severe penalties and fewer procedural protections for defendants.
The swift resolution of Pyos's appeal, decided just two days after submission, suggests the Fourth Circuit found the legal issues uncontroversial and the conviction well-supported by the evidence presented at trial. The court's decision brings finality to a case that has been in the federal system for more than nine years since the original charges were filed.
Pyos's conviction and the appellate affirmance serve as a reminder of the severe consequences facing defendants who engage in violent federal crimes, particularly those involving firearms and affecting interstate commerce. The case demonstrates the effectiveness of federal prosecutorial tools in addressing violent crime and protecting public safety through lengthy incarceration of repeat offenders.