Annapolis Man Who Pistol-Whipped, Robbed Taxi Driver Sentenced

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis man who pistol-whipped a taxi driver and refused to pay his fare was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison, with five years suspended, according to the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney's office.

Jermaine Donte Mitchell, 44, was sentenced for the May 2025 armed robbery of a taxi cab driver in Severna Park. On Nov. 6, a jury found Mitchell guilty of armed robbery, robbery, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and dangerous weapon: wear and carry with intent to injure.

Judge Michael Malone also ordered Mitchell to serve five years of supervised probation when he is released from prison.

Following the sentencing, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said, “This is certainly the worst nightmare for taxi and rideshare drivers, to be attacked and robbed by a passenger. This defendant had a chance to pay the fare and exit the taxi, but chose to pistol-whip the driver and take his phone. The defendant will have plenty of time to reflect on his crime behind bars.”

On May 1, Anne Arundel County police officers were dispatched to the area of Ritchie Highway and Earleigh Heights Road in Severna Park for the report of a robbery. They were given a description of Mitchell, and found him walking near Magothy Bridge Road and Ritchie Highway, where he was taken into custody.

The taxi driver told officers he picked up Mitchell from a hotel in the 100 block of Womack Drive in Annapolis to take him to Marley Station. The victim said that while he was driving Mitchell in the area of Ritchie Highway and Magothy Bridge Road, Mitchell began arguing with him about the price of the taxi ride.

The driver offered to let Mitchell out at the intersection, but he would have to pay the $40 fare.

Mitchell then struck the driver in the right temple with a handgun and demanded the driver give him his cell phone so he would not be able to call police. Mitchell got out of the taxi without paying the $40 fare and kept the victim’s phone.

After police officers caught up with Mitchell, he returned the cell phone to the victim.

Video footage from the area showed Mitchell place a firearm underneath a white Ford Expedition in the parking lot of the Earleigh Heights Firehouse. The firearm was determined to be a black BB gun labeled “Glock 17” and included a serial number.