Last Defendant Sentenced in Shooting Death of Brinks Guard at Calder Casino

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Matthew Boyd, Chief, Miami Gardens Police Department, announce today’s sentencing of Reginald Mitchell, 28, of Miami Gardens, in connection with the August 21, 2011 shooting death of a Brinks guard at the Calder Casino and Race Course (Calder) in North Miami, Florida. U.S. District Judge James L. King sentenced Mitchell to 30 years in prison.

Four other defendants were sentenced previously for their participation in this crime: Vladimir Louissant was sentenced to life in prison; Uri Ammar was sentenced to life in prison; Victoria Barkley was sentenced to 10 years in prison; and Byron Kyler was sentenced to five years in prison. Louissant, Mitchell, Kyler, and Barkley pled guilty before trial. Ammar was convicted after trial on October 15, 2012.

According to documents filed with the court and evidence presented during trial, on August 21, 2011, Mitchell and Ammar conspired to rob a Brinks guard as he made a scheduled pick-up at Calder. Mitchell and Ammar both worked security at Calder, where Ammar was a security shift manager. Mitchell recruited co-defendants Louissant, Barkley, and Kyler. On the day of the murder, Mitchell drove Louissant to Calder in Kyler’s truck, which Kyler had falsely reported stolen.

According to the trial evidence, Ammar escorted the Brinks guard through the Calder facility and led him to an open area, where Louissant was waiting. As Ammar and the guard entered the open area, Louissant rushed at the guard, brandishing a firearm. When the guard drew his weapon, Louissant shot the guard and the two exchange gunfire. After shooting the guard, Louissant grabbed the Brinks money bag and fled to Kyler’s truck. Mitchell and Louissant then drove a short distance in Kyler’s truck, which they abandoned to be driven away from the scene by Barkley in another vehicle.

Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI and Miami Gardens Police Department for their work on this case. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the members of the FBI’s South Florida Violent Crimes and Fugitive Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Gilfarb and Seth Schlessinger.