Armored Truck Bandit Gets 10 Years: James Battle Jr. Sentenced in $150,000 Heist

Tampa, FL – In a brazen daytime heist, James Battle Jr., 29, of Palm Harbor, and his accomplice, Carlos Keanu Smith, targeted an armored truck carrying $150,000 in cash. Surveillance video and toll records revealed the duo followed the truck along its route, eventually striking at a gas station in Ellenton.

On June 9, 2023, Battle and Smith approached the armored truck’s driver, pistols drawn, and forced him to the ground. They made off with the cash, leaving behind a trail of evidence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office worked tirelessly to unravel the crime, ultimately leading to the duo’s downfall.

Battle entered a guilty plea on January 22, 2024, to charges of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the robbery. U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down a 10-year sentence, a fitting punishment for the severity of the crime.

Smith, 29, of Palm Harbor, also pleaded guilty, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for July 25, 2024. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth, with Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench handling the forfeiture.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. By fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, and setting focused enforcement priorities, the PSN initiative works to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The investigation and prosecution of this case serve as a stark reminder that those who engage in violent crime will be brought to justice. The Department of Justice will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and uphold the law.