Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Thomas Herbert Lewis, Jr. (41, Plant City) with robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of robbery, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Lewis faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to court documents, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on April 30, 2020, Lewis entered a Circle K store on Bloomingdale Avenue in Riverview and pointed a firearm at the clerk. He demanded money and told the clerk, “I know you have a family,” and “don’t make me kill you.” Lewis was later arrested and had a rifle and 16 rounds of ammunition in his possession. As a previously convicted felon, Lewis is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natalie Hirt Adams.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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