Kevin Andrew Beets and Ulysses Van Keys Indicted for Armed Pharmacy Robbery

KNOXVILLE—A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a two-count indictment on August 7, 2012, against Kevin Andrew Beets, 29, of Corryton, Tennessee, and Ulysses Van Keys, 30, of Corryton, Tennessee, for armed pharmacy robbery.

The indictment alleges that Beets and Keys aided and abetted by one another robbed the CVS Pharmacy on August 5, 2012. The indictment further alleges that Beets and Keys used and brandished a firearm during a violent crime.

If convicted, Beets and Keys face a term of up to 20 years in prison for the pharmacy robbery and an additional minimum mandatory of seven years and up to life for using and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and Knoxville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia F. Davidson will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Armed Pharmacy Robberies Net Knoxville Man a Sentence of 121 Years in Federal Prison

KNOXVILLE—On June 11, 2012, Daniel D. Gibson, 24, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve 121 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, and for five pharmacy robberies between the dates of September 14 and December 17, 2010.

A jury found Gibson guilty of these offenses in January 2012. In each of these incidents, Gibson and his accomplices used firearms and robbed the pharmacies during the day while customers were present inside. In every robbery, Gibson jumped over the pharmacy counter and pointed his firearm directly at the pharmacist, while demanding prescription medication. Because of his use of a firearm, Gibson, upon his conviction as charged, was exposed to mandatory minimum terms of 107 years in prison. The Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, U.S. District Judge, added another 14 years on the other counts of conviction.

U.S. Attorney William C. Killian said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to use federal firearms statutes to obtain stiff sentences for anyone who commits a federal violent crime while armed with a gun. To anyone in the district who is thinking about doing so, I suggest you consider Gibson’s fate before you act.”

The arrest and subsequent conviction of Gibson were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knoxville Police Department, and Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The United States was represented in this case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Norris and Zachary Bolitho.

Seeking Assistance Identifying Man Suspected of Robbing Two Knoxville-Area Banks

The Knoxville Division of the FBI, Chief Jim Washam of the Kingston Police Department, and Chief James Webb of the Loudon Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance to identify a bank robbery suspect. The individual is suspected of robbing two banks in the Knoxville area on May 1, 2012.

At approximately 3:05 p.m., the suspect entered the BB&T Bank located at 406 Grove Street in Loudon, Tennessee, and presented a note demanding money. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid to late 30s, approximately 5’8” to 5’9” tall, and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt. The suspect also had multiple tattoos on his arms, hands, and neck area. He also has a prominent tattoo on the back his right hand.

At approximately 3:47 p.m., the suspect, who may have changed his t-shirt, entered the Bank of America located at 616 N. Kentucky Street in Kingston, Tennessee and presented a note demanding money. The suspect, same physical description as above, was wearing a white t-shirt.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this individual. Anyone with information should contact the Knoxville Division of the FBI at 865-544-0751, the Kingston Police Department at 865-376-2081, or the Loudon Police Department at 865-408-0412. This matter is being investigated jointly by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force (which consists of personnel from the FBI, KPD, and KCSO), the Kingston Police Department, and the Loudon Police Department.

Armed Robberies of Pizza Delivery Drivers Nets Rodney Mack a 64-Year Sentence in Federal Prison

KNOXVILLE, TN—On April 12, 2012, Rodney B. Mack, Jr., 23, of Knoxville, Tennesee, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by the Honorable Thomas W. Phillips, U.S. District Judge to serve more than 64 years in prison.

Mack was previously convicted at trial of committing three armed robberies and three carjackings of pizza delivery drivers between July 23 and July 30, 2009. In each of these incidents, Mack or his accomplice used a firearm to facilitate the crime.

U.S. Attorney William C. Killian said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to using strict federal penalties for the use of firearms in the perpetration of violent crimes to deter those who might be considering similar conduct. Protection of the public from violent criminals will always be a top priority in this district.”

The arrest and subsequent conviction of Mack were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knoxville Police Department, and Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The United States was represented in this case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Norris and Zachary Bolitho.

Searching for the Suspect Who Robbed a SunTrust Bank Branch in Knoxville

The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Chief David Rausch of the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the man who robbed the SunTrust Bank today, April 12, 2012.

At approximately 11:20 a.m., the suspect entered the SunTrust Bank located at 9541 Northshore Boulevard in Knoxville, Tennessee, displayed a note, and demanded money. Witnesses described the suspect as a white male, possibly Hispanic, with a medium complexion, age 30-35, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” tall, and weighing about 190 to 200 pounds with a medium build. The suspect was wearing gray pants, a gray long-sleeved shirt, white tennis shoes, sunglasses, and white and black baseball-style hat with a Nike swoosh on the front. He also had a Bluetooth device in his right ear.

After obtaining an undetermined amount of money, the suspect fled the scene in a newer model, red, four-door, full-sized pickup truck, possibly a Nissan Titan.

A reward is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest of this individual. Anyone with information is asked to please call the Knoxville FBI at 865-544-0751 or KPD at 865-215-7212. This matter is being jointly investigated by the Safe Streets Task Force (comprised of the FBI, KPD, and KSCO) and the KCSO Major Crimes Unit.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law

Man Suspected of Robbing Bank of America Branch Arrested

The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) announce the arrest of Jonathan Underhill Hayward, age 56, of Jonesborough, Tennessee. He is suspected of robbing the Bank of America located at 9375 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee, earlier today (March 27, 2012).

At approximately 9:40 a.m., the suspect entered the Bank of America, threatened to have an explosive device, and verbally demanded money. At approximately 10:15 a.m., Jonathan Hayward was arrested subsequent to a vehicle stop eastbound on Interstate 40 by officers with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knoxville Police Department.

Hayward is facing a federal charge for bank robbery. This is a joint investigation of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) and KPD Major Crimes Unit.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.