Harrisburg Gunman Allegedly Hit Brookwood Mart Three Times

HARRISBURG, PA – Maurice L. Ross, 34, of Harrisburg, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly terrorizing the Brookwood Mart convenience store in December 2016. A federal grand jury indicted Ross on March 29, 2017, accusing him of three separate armed robberies and unlawful possession of a firearm – a combination that could land him in prison for a very long time.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Ross allegedly brandished a firearm each time he robbed the Brookwood Mart. The indictment doesn’t detail what was stolen, but makes clear the threat of violence was present each time. What’s worse, Ross was already a convicted felon, making the possession of any firearm illegal. That charge alone carries a significant penalty.

The Harrisburg Police Department spearheaded the investigation, building the case that led to these federal charges. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is now tasked with prosecuting Ross, and you can bet he’ll be pushing for a maximum sentence. This isn’t a slap-on-the-wrist case; the feds are serious about taking gun-toting criminals off the streets.

This case falls under the umbrella of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (VCRP), a district-wide initiative aimed at curbing violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The VCRP brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement, pooling resources to target individuals responsible for violent acts involving firearms. It’s a coordinated effort to clean up the streets, one arrest at a time.

Let’s be clear: an indictment is not a conviction. Ross is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the charges are substantial. The maximum penalty for unlawful firearm possession is 10 years in prison, plus supervised release and a hefty fine. Each armed robbery charge carries a potential 20-year sentence, followed by supervised release and another fine. And the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence? That’s a potential life sentence.

But sentencing isn’t a simple equation. Federal judges aren’t bound by statutory maximums; they consider a whole host of factors – the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and the need for both punishment and rehabilitation. So while the potential penalties are high, the actual sentence could vary. Regardless, Maurice L. Ross is facing a bleak future if convicted. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.