Federal Jury Finds Cell Phone Store Robbers Guilty

Two Detroit men were found guilty by a federal jury yesterday of robbing cell phone stores, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

Joining McQuade in the announcement was Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Detroit.

The three-week trial was conducted before U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox.

The information presented to the jury at trial established that brothers Timothy Ivory Carpenter and Timothy Michael Sanders, both 29, conspired with others to commit robberies of cellular telephone stores in Detroit, Highland Park, Eastpointe, and Warren, Ohio, between December 13, 2010 and December 1, 2012. The jury found Carpenter guilty on six counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce and five counts of using or carrying a firearm during a federal crime of violence. The jury also found Sanders guilty on two counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce. Sanders is already serving a 30-year sentence for murder. Sentencing for Carpenter and Sanders was scheduled for April 16, 2014.

“These defendants caused fear for their victims and others who live in the surrounding neighborhoods,” McQuade said. “Criminals who use guns to commit violent crimes can expect federal prosecution and the strong sentences that go with it.”

Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, stated, “These defendants wreaked havoc in the Detroit metropolitan area and beyond through their commission of a series of violent armed robberies. Their arrest and successful prosecution demonstrate the FBI’s resolve, along with our law enforcement partners on the Violent Crime Task Force, in combating and neutralizing violent criminal offenders."

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Chadwell.