Defendant Pleads Guilty in Armored Truck Robbery

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and John E. Brooks, Chief, Sunrise Police Department, announced today the guilty plea of defendant Christopher Ferguson, 40, of Plantation, in connection with an armored truck robbery resulting in the theft of $280,000 and a shootout outside the Space Coast Credit Union in Sunrise, Florida.

More specifically, Ferguson pled guilty to the Hobbs Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a). Sentencing has been scheduled for July 29, 2013, at 1:15 p.m. before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas. At sentencing, Ferguson faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison on the robbery count, as well as up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and mandatory restitution.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, on January 17, 2013, a Brinks armored truck arrived at the Space Coast Credit Union in Sunrise, Florida, to make a delivery of United States currency. As the Brinks courier exited the truck and approached the front door of the bank, two masked subjects exited a stolen white Honda that was parked at the bank. Both subjects thereafter ran toward the courier, one of whom was pointing what appeared to be a handgun directly at the guard. One subject ordered the Brink’s courier to the ground and the courier put his hands up and laid down on the ground. At that point, one robber tried unsuccessfully to take the courier’s firearm while the other subject grabbed a bag belonging to Brinks and destined for delivery to the credit union, which contained approximately $280,000. Moments later, both subjects ran back to the stolen Honda. This entire robbery was recorded on bank surveillance video.

Furthermore, according to statements made in court, as the subjects entered the Honda, the Brinks driver and the courier who had just been robbed discharged their firearms multiple times at the subjects and their white Honda as they fled the scene. Ultimately, numerous rounds struck and penetrated their vehicle, which exited the bank parking lot. Law enforcement responded to the location of the abandoned Honda and observed that the vehicle had sustained damage from multiple gun shots. A subsequent search of the stolen vehicle revealed the presence of blood located on the driver’s seat and floorboard area. Law enforcement swabbed the blood and submitted the unknown DNA to the FBI Laboratory. Ultimately, the unknown DNA sample was identified as belonging to Christopher Ferguson.

The second robber remains at large. If anyone has information about the whereabouts of the second individual or this investigation, contact the Miami FBI at 305-944-9101.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Sunrise Police Department, the South Florida Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Anton and Mark Dispoto.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.