Tampa Man Charged with Armed Robberies

TAMPA—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return of an indictment charging Gabriel James Brown, Jr. (33, Tampa) with bank robbery, two Hobbs Act robberies of businesses, and carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm in relation to those crimes of violence. If convicted on all counts, Brown faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 57 years in federal prison, up to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The indictment also notifies him that the United States intends to forfeit a firearm and ammunition seized during the investigation. The United States is also seeking money judgments in the amounts of $441, $631, and $19,127, the proceeds of the charged robberies. Brown was indicted on February 27, 2013.

According to the indictment, on January 18, 2013, Brown committed armed robberies of two businesses in the Tampa area. He allegedly robbed Direct General Auto Insurance located on Adamo Drive in Tampa, and a Metro PCS store located on Kingsway in Seffner. Brown is also charged with committing an armed robbery of a TD Bank in Auburndale on February 5, 2013, robbing the bank of $19,127.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Bini.