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Tennessee Men Charged with Pharmacy Robbery

U.S. Attorney’s Office April 01, 2009
  • Northern District of Alabama (205) 244-2001

BIRMINGHAM, AL—TAVIS RAY SMITH, 26, of Nashville, Tennessee, SHANE RICHARD MOORE, 22 and PHILLIP ANDREW HAMPTON, 21, both of Ashland City, Tennessee, have been indicted by a federal grand jury today. United States Attorney Alice H. Martin, Charles E. Regan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sheriff Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Chief A.C. Roper, Jr., Birmingham Police Department, Chief Mike Walker, Gardendale Police Department, Chief Byron Pigg, Fultondale Police Department, and Chief Jesse Sprayberry, Tarrant Police Department, announce that SMITH, MOORE and HAMPTON have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Commit Pharmacy Robbery, Pharmacy Robbery, and Using/Carrying a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. In addition, SMITH faces a fourth charge of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Count One charges all three men with conspiring to commit pharmacy robbery, in connection with the December 22, 2008, armed robbery of Tyner’s Pharmacy on Chalkville Road, during which the defendants allegedly stole a large quantity of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller that is controlled under federal law. SMITH entered the pharmacy and, armed with a pellet gun, forced the pharmacist into the dispensary area of the pharmacy. MOORE held store employees at bay by brandishing what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol, but was in fact, a pellet gun. HAMPTON remained in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. In Count Two, the trio is charge with the substantive offense of pharmacy robbery. In Count Three, the men stand accused of using/carrying a firearm during and in relation to the robbery. And, in Count Four, SMITH is charged alone with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“This dramatic pharmacy robbery prosecution arises from outstanding law enforcement cooperation,” stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.

“We appreciate the assistance and cooperation of all the local law enforcement agencies that contributed to bringing this case to justice,” stated Charles E. Regan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"This was a great cooperative effort by all involved agencies to get justice in this case. These suspects showed a propensity for violence and we are happy to get them locked up before they graduated to more violent behavior,” stated Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale.

"This case exemplified the strong law enforcement partnership that exists in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Although these defendants must wait for their day in court, we eagerly look forward to the outcome of this case," stated Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper, Jr.

If convicted of the conspiracy charge, each man faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. A conviction for armed pharmacy robbery carries a maximum sentence of 25 years and a fine of $250,000. For using/carrying a firearm during the robbery, each defendant faces a mandatory, consecutive prison term of from 10 years to Life, and a fine of $250,000. SMITH faces an additional maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine, should he be convicted of the illegal gun possession charge.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tarrant, Fultondale, Gardendale, and Birmingham Police departments, and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William G. Simpson on behalf of the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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