A Tulsa man has been convicted of obstructing commerce by
robbery; carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence;
and Hobbs Act conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. Following the
two day trial, the jury deliberated nearly three hours before convicting Melvin
Louis Bailey, 26, of the crimes.
“A jury found Melvin Louis Bailey guilty late Tuesday on
seven counts pertaining to the armed robberies of a Tulsa Walgreens. He robbed
the same store four times at gun point, repeatedly instilling fear in store
employees and endangering their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “I
appreciate the jury’s service this week. Bailey is off the streets and can no
longer wreak havoc in our community.”
The jury held Bailey accountable for four separate armed
robberies of the Walgreens from April 2015 to January 2018. During the robberies, Bailey brandished a
shotgun or hand gun to intimidate employees. In January 2018, he also conspired
with a juvenile to rob the Walgreens. As part of the conspiracy, Bailey
provided a mask and firearm to the juvenile, and the two discussed strategy to
commit the crime. Afterward, he and his co-conspirator met at Bailey’s
apartment and divided the stolen money.
U.S. District Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell presided over
the trial. After the conviction, he remanded Bailey into the custody of the
U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing, set for July 2,
2019. At that time, Bailey faces a
possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the
investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Fries and Ryan Roberts
prosecuted the case.
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