KNOXVILLE, TN—A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a three-count indictment on Nov. 4, 2014, charging Stephen Thompson, 25, of Knoxville, with the robbery of a Hardee’s restaurant, discharging a firearm during the Hardee’s robbery, and with the robbery of a Subway restaurant. Thompson has not yet appeared in court on these charges.

The indictment alleges that Thompson robbed the Hardee’s, located at 3718 Western Avenue in Knoxville, on Nov. 10, 2009, and that he discharged a firearm during the Hardee’s robbery. In that robbery, Thompson is accused of shooting a restaurant employee in the chest, which resulted in life-threatening injuries, but the victim ultimately survived. He is also accused of robbing the Subway, located at 446 North Cedar Bluff Road in Knoxville, on October 25, 2014.

If convicted, Thompson faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each of the two robbery counts. He faces a minimum mandatory term of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed, on the discharging of a firearm count. There is no parole in the federal system.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Knoxville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.