Devon Floyd, Hobbs Act Robbery, Florida 2023

Tampa, FL - In a bold move, Devon Floyd, a 31-year-old man from Bradenton, walked into a Tampa business and committed a brazen robbery with a firearm, leaving behind only a trail of fear and uncertainty. According to authorities, the crime occurred on August 10, 2023 at a Tampa business.

Details of the crime reveal that Floyd, desperate for a free water, began his ill-fated journey by asking the clerk for a complimentary drink. When the clerk politely declined, Floyd's anger turned violent, and he pulled out a firearm, ordering the clerk to empty the register. The terrified clerk complied, handing over a sum of cash before Floyd made his escape in a dark-colored Mazda.

The investigation, led by a coalition of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, and the North Port Police Department, has been ongoing since the incident.

Devon Floyd, the defendant, is facing a single count of Hobbs Act robbery, a federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The charge, filed by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman, marks a significant development in the case, which is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to bringing Floyd to justice and ensuring that the community remains safe.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence, has been instrumental in fostering trust and legitimacy in the community. The program, launched by the government on May 26, 2021, sets focused and strategic enforcement priorities while measuring the results.

In a statement, the authorities emphasized the importance of this case in the fight against violent crime. As the investigation unfolds, residents of Tampa and surrounding areas can rest assured that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to keep their communities safe.

Devon Floyd, 31, of Bradenton, is currently facing a single count of Hobbs Act robbery, with a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is urged to remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity.

About the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative: The PSN program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The initiative is built on four core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/bradenton-man-arrested-robbing-tampa-business-firearm