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JAMAICAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ARMED ROBBERY AND GUN CRIME
October 5, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation Miami Field Office, announced that defendant Omar Robinson, a native and citizen of Jamaica, pleaded guilty on October 4, 2007 in United States District Court to charges of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by intimidation or extortion, attempted armed robbery in interference with interstate commerce, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, unlawful possession and use of a firearm in the course of committing a crime punishable by federal law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924c, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, that is an illegal alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5). At sentencing, these felony charges could result in a minimum five-year sentence to a maximum life sentence. Robinson also faces deportation from the United States after completing his prison sentence.

According to statements made in open Court in both defendants' detention hearings, on April 27, 2007, officers with the St. Lucie Police Department responded to a tip that Robinson's co-defendant Troy Hollander Craddock was planning to rob the Checkers Fast Food restaurant on US Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie. Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team of the Port St. Lucie Police Department surprised and overpowered both Craddock and Robinson, as they hid in the bushes behind the restaurant and prepared to enter the building at midnight after the business had closed. Craddock and Robinson had with them firearms and ammunition, lengths of rope, hooded masks, and dark clothing to assist them in their robbery.

Robinson will be sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez on December 17, 2007, in U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce. Defendant Craddock is scheduled to go to trial on similar charges before United States District Court Judge Donald Graham in federal court in Fort Pierce, later this month. The case was brought by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida as part of Operation Hard Time for Gun Crime and the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods, both programs designed to combat violent gun crimes.

U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta stated, "Armed robbery and gun crimes along our highways threatens Florida residents and visitors alike. We will aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who threaten and disrupt interstate commerce with gun violence."

FBI SAC Jonathan I. Solomon said, "Through the combined efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecutors, individuals who commit violent gun crimes will be taken off the streets. With the recent increase in violent crime affecting most of the nation, the FBI and our partners are committed to reversing that trend and making South Florida a safer community."

Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Port St. Lucie Police Department and St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office for their work on this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Theodore M. Cooperstein.

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 http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.