PALM HARBOR, Fla. -A Palm Harbor man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the robbery.
James Battle, Jr., 29, Palm Harbor, entered a guilty plea on January 22, 2024.
According to court documents, on the morning of June 9, 2023, Battle and Carlos Keanu Smith met to rob an armored truck. They followed the truck along its route from Pinellas County to eastern Hillsborough County before eventually reaching a gas station in Ellenton.
Toll records from the Florida Department of Transportation show Battle’s vehicle following seconds behind the targeted armored truck that morning.
Surveillance video showed the vehicle also following the armored truck to other locations before conducting the robbery at the gas station in Ellenton when the driver returned to his vehicle.
Battle and Smith approached the victim with pistols pointed at him, forcing him to the ground. They stole more than $150,000 from the armored truck.
Read: ICE Says They ‘Erroneously’ Released Illegal Immigrant Wanted For Murder In Home Country
Smith pleaded guilty on December 14, 2023. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25, 2024.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth is prosecuting it, and Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench is handling the forfeiture.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.