Last Two Convicted in Houston Armored Car Robberies

HOUSTON—Walter Keitric Freeman, of Houston, and Allen Moore, Jr., of Dallas, have entered pleas of guilty in relation to the robbery and attempted robbery of two armored cars operating in and around Houston, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Freeman, 23, and Moore, 46, each pleaded guilty today to one count of discharging of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Freeman also pleaded to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, while Moore pleaded to a count of interference with commerce by robbery. Three others also charged in the case—Hendrick Dwayne Lynn, 30, Chad Eric Haywood, 24, and Corinthians Lachell Phillips, 28, all of Houston—had previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in the crimes. Lynn and Haywood were both convicted of two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, while Lynn and Phillips also admitted to the conspiracy charge. Haywood also pleaded guilty to a count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Loomis Armored U.S. Inc., who operated the trucks during the alleged robbery and robbery attempt, maintains offices throughout the United States and was engaged in the business of secured armored transport of United States currency in interstate commerce and in picking up and delivering United States currency to financial institutions and check cashing businesses, both of which are industries which affect interstate commerce.

Lynn, Haywood, and Moore were charged with their involvement in the August 7, 2009, attempted robbery of a Loomis armored truck at the Bank of America at 3704 Old Spanish Trail in Houston. Lynn drove to the location, at which time Haywood and Moore, who were armed with Glock pistols, jumped out and shot at the guard. The guard has since recovered. The guard had been filling an ATM, but it was already locked and no money was obtained.

The second incident occurred on November 21, 2009, at which time another guard was shot. On that date, Lynn drove Freeman and Haywood to Senor Check Cashing Store #2 located at 5950 S. Gessner Road in Houston. Freeman fired his pistol and shot in the direction of the guard. The guard was hit but survived. On that same date, Phillips drove a second vehicle to the Gessner location and, following the robbery, switched vehicles with Haywood, Freeman, and Lynn.

The conspiracy charge and the convictions for interference with commerce by robbery both carry as possible punishment up to 20 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 fine. Haywood, Moore, and Freeman will also face at least an additional 10 years in federal prison for discharging a firearm during the commission of the robberies which must be served consecutively to the other terms imposed.

U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller, who accepted the guilty pleas, has set sentencing for Freeman and Moore for July 10, while the remaining defendants are set for July 12, 2013. With the exception of Phillips, all will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Basile.