Convicted Felon Charged in a Federal Indictment in Connection with Two Armed Robberies in the Central West End

St. Louis, MO – Brandon Mardell Woods, 33, of St. Louis, was charged in a federal indictment charging him with two felony count of interference with commerce by threats or violence; two felony counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; two felony counts of carjacking; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the court documents, on or about June 17, 2018, Robbery victim “R.C.” was walking to her vehicle in the 4400 block of Maryland when an individual later determined to be Brandon Mardell Woods (“Woods”) approached her from behind.  Woods stuck a gun in her stomach and demanded that R.C. give him her money.  When R.C. advised Woods that she didn’t have any money, Woods ordered her to take him to an ATM.

Woods pointed the firearm at her as he drove her car to a U.S. Bank ATM in the 3500 block of North Kingshighway.  Woods attempted to use R.C.’s ATM card but the ATM didn’t work.  He drove to an Action Banking ATM at a BP Gas Station in the 5000 block of Natural Bridge and used R.C’s ATM card to withdraw $500.00.  Woods eventually got out of the car and R.C. was able to drive away.  Security photographs show Woods using R.C.’s ATM card.

On June 19, 2018, Woods approached robbery victim “M.F.” with a gun and ordered her to take money out of the same ATM as the June 17^th victim.

On June 20, 2018, St. Louis Police officers spotted Woods walking in the 5100 block of Natural Bridge.  Seeing the police, Woods dropped the backpack he was carrying and fled.  Woods was soon after taken into custody nearby.  He was found to be in possession of more than 30 rounds of ammunition.  The police seized and searched his backpack.  In it, they found a .38 special handgun.   

If convicted, the charge of interference with commerce by threat or violence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the charge of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a penalty of not less than 7 years, not more than life, consecutive to all other counts, and a $250,000 fine; the charge of carjacking carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and the charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.   

“I am grateful that an armed robber has been taken off the streets as a result of continued cooperation between the St. Louis Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen.  “This is another case made through the courageous cooperation of crime victims.  This type of cooperation is essential to effectively addressing our community’s gun violence.”

As is always the case, charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Circuit Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.