Third BH Restaurant Robbery Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — One of the three documented gang members accused of carrying out an armed robbery at a Beverly Hills restaurant pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges.

Marquise Gordon, 30, is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and using a firearm in a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Gordon and two other suspects are accused of committing armed robbery at Il Pastaio, where one patron was hit by gunfire and another was held at gunpoint over a $500,000 watch.

Last week, Khai McGhee, 18, pleaded not guilty to the same charges. The third defendant, Malik Powell, 20, waived his appearance at his arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty through filing a court document.

All three defendants are documented members of the Rollin’ 30 Crips street gang, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A July 22 trial date has been set in Los Angeles federal court for the three defendants. If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in federal prison.

Gordon, McGhee, and Powell were arrested in May after investigators concluded that five people were involved in the robbery, based on witness interviews and surveillance video.

Law enforcement officials identified Powell and McGhee as two of the three robbers, and Gordon has been identified as a driver of the BMW alleged to have transported the robbery to and away from the scene of the robbery, according to the affidavit. Powell's social media also shows images of guns and various high-value wristwatches, according to the affidavit.

Investigators found McGhee's DNA on the clothing of one of the victims, according to the affidavit. Surveillance footage also shows Gordon getting out of the rear passenger seat and into the driver's seat of the BMW just before the robbery, the affidavit also alleges. McGhee and Powell's cell phones were also allegedly shown to be near the restaurant at the time of the robbery, the complaint alleges.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows the robbers scouting the area before the robbery.

— Michael Wittner and City News Service contributed to this report.

See also:

3 Arrested In Connection With Beverly Hills Restaurant Robbery

1 Shot During Beverly Hills Restaurant Robbery | Beverly Hills, CA Patch

Il Pastaio Robbery Latest In A String Of Watch-Related Attacks | Beverly Hills, CA Patch