Alexander Ray Hamilton Indicted in Des Moines Robbery Spree

Five individuals, led by Alexander Ray Hamilton, are facing federal charges after a string of violent armed robberies at convenience stores, supermarkets, and a bank across Des Moines, Iowa. The indictment, unsealed November 22, 2016, reveals a coordinated crime spree that began in March 2016 and fueled a parallel drug distribution ring — all bankrolled by stolen cash.

Hamilton, along with Sarah Victoria Coe, Shelly Shannon Avery, Chris Brian Avery, and Luke Martin, Jr., stands accused of conspiring to rob businesses including Git-N-Go, Kum & Go, Hy-Vee, and a U.S. Bank branch. Using stolen vehicles and surveillance tactics, the group allegedly targeted cash-heavy locations, executing swift, armed robberies designed to maximize profit and minimize detection. Hamilton faces 15 counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Bank Robbery, and Conspiracy to Distribute Dilaudid — a powerful opioid.

The indictment details how the crew allegedly planned each hit: scouting locations, securing getaway cars, and deploying weapons during robberies. The stolen money wasn’t just spent — it was laundered into the illicit drug trade. Prosecutors allege Hamilton used the proceeds to purchase and distribute Dilaudid, while co-defendant Chris Brian Avery used communication devices to facilitate drug sales. Luke Martin, Jr. is charged with two counts of Distribution of Dilaudid and one count of Conspiracy to Distribute.

Sarah Victoria Coe is charged with Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference of Commerce by Robbery, and Bank Robbery. Shelly Shannon Avery faces similar charges, including two counts of robbery and conspiracy. The indictment paints a picture of a tight-knit criminal enterprise operating with precision — and violence — across the Des Moines metro.

According to U.S. Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel, the investigation spanned eight months and involved a joint task force of the Des Moines Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. No plea deals or trial dates have been announced, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The case underscores the dangerous overlap between violent street crime and the opioid epidemic. Robberies fuel drug habits. Drug profits finance more violence. And in Des Moines, federal prosecutors are treating it as a full-blown criminal enterprise — not just isolated thefts. With charges stacking fast, the courtroom battle ahead could define how federal law enforcement tackles hybrid crime rings in mid-sized American cities.