The District of Columbia has charged Mark Thomas Moore with a six-count federal indictment for a series of armed robberies committed in the fall of 2022. Moore is accused of robbing three businesses and a post office at gunpoint in Southeast Washington, D.C. The indictment, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, carries charges of interference with commerce by robbery and armed postal robbery, among others. Moore has been in custody since his arrest on November 28, 2022, after fleeing the scene of a robbery in Arlington, Virginia. The evidence against Moore includes a fingerprint left at the scene of the postal robbery, recovered clothing and a BB gun, and the distinctive bicycle used in both the postal robbery and the robbery in Virginia. If convicted, Moore may face up to 25 years in prison.
Summary
Mark Thomas Moore, a 32-year-old man from the District of Columbia, has been charged with six counts in a federal indictment for a series of armed robberies committed in the fall of 2022. The indictment was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Moore is accused of robbing three businesses and a post office at gunpoint, as well as holding a store employee at gunpoint and robbing her of her cell phone. He was arrested in November 2022 and has been in custody ever since. Moore is facing charges including interference with commerce by robbery, armed postal robbery, robbery while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The case is being investigated by various agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Metropolitan Police Department, and Arlington County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney is prosecuting the case, and it is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Background
In the fall of 2022, a series of armed robberies occurred in Southeast Washington, D.C. These robberies targeted commercial establishments, as well as a U.S. Post Office. The perpetrator, later identified as Mark Thomas Moore, allegedly committed the robberies at gunpoint and even held a store employee at gunpoint during one incident, stealing her cell phone. These robberies caused significant concern in the community and prompted a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Charges and Indictment
Mark Thomas Moore has been charged with six counts in a federal indictment related to the string of armed robberies he is alleged to have committed. The indictment includes charges of interference with commerce by robbery, also known as “Hobbs Act” robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Moore is also charged with armed postal robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Under the D.C. Code, he is facing charges of robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, each carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
Robbery Details
The robberies committed by Mark Thomas Moore took place in Southeast Washington, D.C., between October 21, 2022, and November 22, 2022. The exact locations of the robberies have not been specified. However, it is known that Moore targeted three commercial establishments and a U.S. Post Office. During one of the robberies, Moore held a store employee at gunpoint and robbed her of her cell phone. These incidents caused fear in the community and prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies.
Arrest and Investigation
Mark Thomas Moore was arrested on November 28, 2022, following the robbery of a commercial establishment in Arlington, Virginia. He has remained in custody since then. The investigation into Moore’s involvement in the robberies involved various agencies, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force, and the Arlington County Police Department. The arrest was made possible by the assistance and collaboration of these agencies.
Evidence Connecting Moore to the Robberies
Several pieces of evidence have been presented connecting Mark Thomas Moore to the string of armed robberies. Firstly, Moore’s arrest in Arlington, Virginia, following a robbery linked him to the crimes. Additionally, a distinct bicycle used by Moore during the November 28 robbery was found to be identical in appearance to the one used during the D.C. postal robbery, further linking him to the series of robberies. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service was able to establish Moore’s involvement by identifying a fingerprint left by him inside the cash register drawer during the postal robbery. Furthermore, a large BB gun and clothing recovered from Moore at the time of his arrest, as well as additional, unique clothing found during a search of a residence associated with Moore, provided further evidence connecting him to the robberies.
Charges Faced by Moore
Mark Thomas Moore is facing multiple charges related to the armed robberies he allegedly committed. These charges include three counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of armed postal robbery, one count of robbery while armed, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, including a maximum sentence of 20 years for interference with commerce by robbery and 25 years for armed postal robbery. The charges under the D.C. Code carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
Investigating Agencies
The investigation into the armed robberies committed by Mark Thomas Moore involved several law enforcement agencies. The FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force played a key role in the investigation, working alongside the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. The Arlington County Police Department also provided valuable assistance in the case. These agencies collaborated and shared resources to ensure a thorough investigation and ultimately make the arrest of Moore possible.
Prosecution
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney has been assigned to prosecute the case against Mark Thomas Moore. As a representative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Courtney will present the evidence gathered during the investigation and argue the government’s case against Moore. The prosecution’s objective is to prove Moore’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and seek appropriate penalties for the charges he faces.
Presumption of Innocence
It is essential to remember that all defendants, including Mark Thomas Moore, are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. While Moore has been charged with multiple counts related to the armed robberies, an indictment is merely an allegation and does not guarantee guilt. The prosecution must present compelling evidence to establish Moore’s involvement in the crimes and overcome the presumption of innocence.
Conclusion
Mark Thomas Moore’s alleged involvement in a string of armed robberies in the fall of 2022 has led to his arrest and subsequent indictment. The charges he faces, including interference with commerce by robbery, armed postal robbery, robbery while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carry significant penalties if he is convicted. The investigation into Moore’s crimes involved the collaboration of various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Metropolitan Police Department, and Arlington County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney has been assigned to prosecute the case, and it is essential to remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The judicial process will determine Moore’s guilt or innocence and the appropriate consequences for his actions.