Two Indiana Men Sentenced to 10 years For Armed Robbery of Swan Serv-U Pharmacy

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on January 6, 2020, that Antonio Jamerson (age: 21) was sentenced to 124 months’ imprisonment and Elix Powell (age: 21) was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment for their involvement in the armed robbery of the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy.

The investigation revealed that Jamerson and Powell traveled from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, arriving during the early morning hours of December 28, 2016. At approximately 9:15 a.m., the defendants, armed with a firearm, robbed the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  At the sentencing, Judge J.P. Stadtmueller emphasized the extremely violent nature of the robbery, including the fact that the defendants physically restrained multiple victims.  

“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute and seek substantial prison sentences for anyone who uses a firearm to terrorize our communities,” said United States Attorney Krueger. “The lengthy sentences imposed here resulted from an outstanding collaborative law enforcement effort by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force, the Wauwatosa Police Department, and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.”

 The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office collaborate together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all.

This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The Project Safe Neighborhoods’ strategy brings together all levels of law enforcement and community resources to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in all our neighborhoods.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://go.usa.gov/xpBrs

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura S. Kwaterski.