Four Individuals Charged Federally in Ocala Robbery Conspiracy

OCALA, FL—U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces that four individuals—Victor John Walker (age 23), Allen C. Butler (age 25), Katy Rae Radney (age 23), and Jeremy Ryan Nedrick (age 20)—were charged yesterday in a federal criminal complaint that alleges a series of armed robberies in Ohio and Florida. The complaint alleges that the defendants were involved to varying degrees in a string of robberies that began with the robbery of a Burger King in Ohio on November 17, 2008, and continued with three more robberies in Ohio, the robbery of a Hungry Howies restaurant in Ocala, Florida, and the attempted robbery of a Burger King in Lady Lake, Florida. The complaint also alleges that the defendants used firearms during the robberies, and that a firearm was fired during two of the completed robberies as well as the attempted robbery.

According to the complaint, defendants’ crime spree ended on May 4, 2009, after Walker, Butler, and Nedrick made the failed attempt to rob the Burger King in Lady Lake during which an AK-47 was fired. Later that day, Marion County deputies attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Walker, who temporarily evaded apprehension after firing the same AK-47 rifle at the deputies, injuring one. Walker and Nedrick then attempted to evade law enforcement officers in a different vehicle and were ultimately apprehended.

A subsequent investigation coordinated by state and federal law enforcement agencies cooperating across several states revealed the other robberies and all four defendants’ involvement.

The complaint alleges that the robberies and the attempted robbery violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, which is commonly referred to as the “Hobbs Act.” The Hobbs Act makes it a federal crime commit a robbery, to conspire to commit a robbery, or to attempt to commit a robbery which affects interstate commerce. Interstate commerce can be affected when robberies are committed at business establishments with operations in more than one state. The complaint also alleges violations of 18 United States Code, Section 924(c), which makes it a federal crime to use or carry a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence, such as a robbery.

U. S. Attorney Albritton stated, “The apprehension of these individuals is a credit to the outstanding work of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. These defendants’ alleged actions put innocent citizens as well as dedicated law enforcement officers in harm’s way. The successful prosecution of these individuals is a top priority of our office.”

Special Agent in Charge Virginia O’Brien, said, “This armed robbery ring is charged with terrorizing customers and employees at Burger Kings, Hungry Howie’s and Dominoes Pizza family restaurants from Ohio to Florida. The Marion County Sheriff’s Department Deputies involved in the arrest and investigation of these individuals have made Marion County a safer place to live and work.”

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Mansfield, Ohio, Police Department, the Shelby, Ohio, Police Department, the Richland County, Ohio, Sheriff's Office, the Nassau County, New York, Police Department, the Hempstead, New York, Police Department, the Lady Lake, Florida, Police Department, the Ocala, Florida, Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) offices in Florida, Ohio, and New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) offices in Florida, New York and Ohio, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samuel Armstrong.