Brandale Swails, Gas Station Robbery, Florida 2023

Tampa Man Indicted for Gas Station Hold-Up

Tampa, FL - On October 15, 2023, Brandale Swails, a 29-year-old man from Tampa, Florida, allegedly arrived at a local gas station on a bicycle and committed a brazen robbery. According to court documents, Swails pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money, before jumping over the counter to access the cash register.

The clerk, fearing for their life, immediately hid behind the counter, while Swails continued to hold them at gunpoint. He directed the clerk into a bathroom, where he demanded one-hundred-dollar bills and an undisclosed amount of cash. After the ordeal, Swails fled the scene on his bicycle, leaving behind a trail of fear and uncertainty.

Two weeks later, on October 29, 2023, Swails was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, hiding inside a bedroom closet. He now faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years in federal prison if convicted of the Hobbs Act robbery and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Swails’ arrest and indictment are a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in Florida, who remain committed to reducing violent crime and making our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations, and measuring the results.

As Swails awaits trial, the community can take comfort in knowing that justice is being served. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have worked tirelessly to bring this case to light, and their efforts will not go unnoticed.

Swails is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but if convicted, he will face a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years in federal prison. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes. A trial date has yet to be scheduled.

Defendant: Brandale Swails

Criminal Charges: Hobbs Act robbery and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence

City and State: Tampa, Florida

Exact Date: October 15, 2023

Sentence or Outcome: Minimum mandatory sentence of seven years in federal prison if convicted

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-man-indicted-gas-station-robbery