Cash America Pawn Heist Crew Faces Federal Charges

Three separate federal indictments unsealed in Houston have thrust eight men into the crosshairs of justice over a string of violent, armed robberies targeting pawn shops and wireless stores across the city. The charges, returned Feb. 21, 2018, expose a pattern of brazen, coordinated heists—many involving gunfire—that terrorized employees and customers in the fall of 2017. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick announced the indictments as part of a joint push to dismantle armed robbery crews preying on local businesses.

At the center of the first case: Joe Gutierrez, 19, Derrick Isaiah Stewart, 19, and Patrick Earl Cooper Jr., 20—all charged with aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and using, brandishing, and discharging firearms during violent crimes. The indictment details four separate takeovers of Cash America Pawn locations. On Sept. 28, 2017, Cooper and associates allegedly stormed the Lyons Street location at gunpoint, 6015 Lyons Street, stealing firearms, cash, and jewelry—and firing a weapon during the chaos. Days later, Stewart led a similar assault at 5219 Airline Drive. By October, the two had teamed up to hit another Cash America at 8223 North Freeway, before being arrested Oct. 31 after allegedly robbing the Durham Street store at knifepoint.

A father-and-son duo—Marcus Hargove, 45, and Christopher Michael Carmon, 26—are charged in a second indictment for a spree of armed robberies targeting MetroPCS stores between October and November 2017. Each armed robbery followed a chilling routine: one suspect entered the store, ordered employees to hand over cash, while the other served as lookout. Carmon is tied to three heists, two of which were allegedly committed alongside his father. Both face charges of aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

The third indictment targets a younger trio: Deamonta Frederick Taylor, 22, Joshua Marquise Turner, 22, and Kevin Eugene Harrison, 22. Taylor faces five counts of robbery and five counts of firearm use during violent crimes for a robbery spree between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8, 2017. His targets: three MetroPCS stores and a Subway in Northwest Houston. On Nov. 9, the three allegedly hit a Cricket Wireless store in the same area—only to be apprehended moments later by law enforcement. Turner and Harrison each face one count of robbery and firearm use.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years on each robbery charge. Firearm convictions carry stiffer penalties: a minimum of seven years for a first offense, and a mandatory 25-year sentence for any subsequent conviction—all to be served consecutively. Fines of up to $250,000 per count also loom. With charges stacking fast, some could face decades behind bars.

The investigations were led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Houston Police Department. The Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office provided critical support in the Cash America cases. All defendants, except Joe Gutierrez, were scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo at 10:00 a.m. for initial proceedings. The federal crackdown signals a hard line against organized, violent takeovers feeding Houston’s crime wave.

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