A Wilsonville man who orchestrated multiple violent robberies targeting southern Oregon marijuana growers and dealers was sentenced to federal prison this week.
Shannon Christopher Harrop, 33, was sentenced to 13 and a half years in federal prison and five years of supervised release. Harrop was also ordered to pay $26,040 in restitution.
“This defendant choreographed multiple armed robberies in and around Medford that endangered dozens of lives,” Nathan J. Lichvarcik, chief of the U.S. attorney’s offices in Eugene and Medford, said in a press release. “Fortunately, law enforcement intervened to protect our community.”
“Mr. Harrop’s sentence is well justified,” added Jonathan T. McPherson, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Seattle Field Division.
“Without the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement his brazen criminal actions would have continued, further endangering the lives of community members.”
According to court documents, over a seven-month period beginning in September 2019, Harrop and multiple co-conspirators orchestrated four violent robberies targeting marijuana growers and dealers in and around Medford.
The first robbery occurred on September 19, 2019, when two robbers handcuffed and robbed two victims at gunpoint in Medford, stealing $60,000 worth of a bulk narcotic that the suspects claimed was hemp.
Law enforcement later determined that the robbery occurred during a drug deal brokered by Harrop. Harrop was contacted by investigators but denied setting up the deal and having any knowledge of the robbery.
The second robbery occurred on November 2, 2019, in Eagle Point, at a residence located on a secluded marijuana grow.
The robbers entered the residence pretending to be law enforcement officers executing a search warrant, handcuffed two individuals present at gunpoint, and stole several dozen pounds of marijuana, various personal items, and one of the victim’s vehicles.
Law enforcement stopped a second vehicle traveling with the stolen vehicle and determined it was a rental car leased by Harrop, who again denied involvement in the robbery. Inside the rented vehicle, officers found ski masks, zip ties, handcuffs, tactical vests and two firearms.
The third robbery occurred on December 19, 2019, at a large marijuana grow in Applegate. Several individuals pretended to be the U.S. Marshals Service executing a search warrant. The robbers handcuffed one individual at gunpoint and engaged in an armed standoff with another.
This time, however, the robbers got away with only five pounds of marijuana and $5,000 in cash. Law enforcement located several hundred plastic totes containing marijuana on the property they believed the robbers were targeting.
In the fourth and final robbery, on April 25, 2020, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired in Josephine County, Oregon. They discovered the shots were the result of another robbery of a marijuana grow where multiple victims were restrained and robbed at gunpoint.
Despite being fired on by one of the victims, the robbers got away with 71 pounds of processed marijuana and four jars of marijuana extract.
Over the next several months, through various recorded statements, investigators were able to connect Harrop and multiple associates to all four robberies. In one statement, Harrop admitted to visiting the location of the fourth robbery and seeing the processed marijuana, marijuana extract, and cash later targeted in the robbery.
Beginning in June 2020, Harrop tried to convince an undercover law enforcement agent to deliver forty kilograms of cocaine to Ohio on his behalf. In addition, Harrop attempted to orchestrate a fifth robbery with the undercover agent and multiple co-conspirators.
On the day the robbery was supposed to occur, in July 2020, law enforcement officers arrested Harrop and his accomplices without incident.
On July 23, 2020, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an eight-count indictment charging Harrop and eight accomplices.
The charges included conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in drug trafficking; possessing firearms as convicted felons; and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On August 30, 2022, Harrop pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere and interfering with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Seven of Harrop’s accomplices have pleaded guilty. Six have been sentenced and one is pending sentencing. Harrop’s eighth accomplice is awaiting trial.
