Armed Robber Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

PHILADELPHIA—Brian Williams, 53, of Philadelphia, was sentenced by the Honorable R. Barclay Surrick today to 30 years in prison for the armed robbery of an armored car on September 4, 2009, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Williams and his co-defendant, Anthony Reid, robbed the guard during a cash delivery to the automated teller machines at the Sunoco APlus gas station and convenience store, located at 301 South 52nd Street in Philadelphia. Williams and Reid took U.S. currency and the guard's firearm from the guard during the robbery. After the robbery, Williams and Reid fled the scene in a car operated by Reid. Police officers pursued them in their patrol cars. During their flight from police, defendant Williams pointed a loaded handgun at the police officers and fired at them from Reid's car. Eventually, Reid lost control of his car and crashed into a parked vehicle at the intersection of 63rd Street and Grays Avenue. When Reid attempted to get out of the vehicle, he pointed a loaded firearm at police, who then shot and injured Reid. During the gunfire, a Philadelphia police officer was shot in the face and seriously injured. Police arrested Reid and Williams at the scene of the accident.

Williams pleaded guilty on February 11, 2011 to conspiracy to commit robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. Reid was convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced July 18, 2011. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years.

This investigation and prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative designed to identify and prosecute firearms offenders in federal court, where the defendant is likely to receive a substantial sentence upon conviction.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hobbs Act Robbery Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski. A parallel prosecution for aggravated assault against police is being prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.