Three Men Federally Indicted for Armed Robbery of Milwaukee Grocery Store

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced today that three men were indicted for the January 28, 2014 armed robbery of Mother’s Foods (formerly Magic Foods) located at 2879 N. 16th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Joshua Mueller, 23, of Milwaukee; Sedrick Brown, 26, of Milwaukee; and Steven Bugni, 23, formerly from Milwaukee, were charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The indictment alleges that on January 28, 2014, the defendants, armed with firearms, stole U.S. currency from Mother’s Foods. During the robbery, a store employee was shot, causing serious bodily injury. If convicted, each man faces up to 20 years in prison on the armed robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison on the charge of discharge of a firearm during a robbery.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these offenders is sometimes beneficial since the penalties may be tougher than under state law. To that end, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its County Attorney partners are working together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.