Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the filing of a criminal complaint charging Taleah Williams (21, North Fort Myers) and Javion Ward (21, Fort Myers) with Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, Williams and Ward conspired to commit numerous armed robberies the week of September 15, 2025, in Hillsborough, Sumter, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, all within proximity to I-75. For each robbery, one of them entered the stores armed with a firearm and demanded money from the clerk.
Williams is accused of orchestrating the plan, providing both the vehicle and the firearm. On September 16, 2025, Ward and Williams targeted a convenience store in Tampa, where Ward obtained about $600 after brandishing a pistol.
The duo’s spree continued into the early morning of September 17, 2025, when they attempted to rob a gas station in Lake Panasoffkee. Williams left without taking any money after her attempt failed.
In the following days, they hit four more stores – Gibsonton, Ellenton, Nokomis, and North Port. Ward’s methods grew more aggressive, jumping over counters or threatening employees to get their hands on cash.
Williams celebrated by posting photos of them with stolen cash on social media. The investigation led by the FBI resulted in a search warrant at Williams’s residence, where law enforcement recovered items matching the clothing worn during the robberies.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aiming to eliminate transnational criminal organizations and protect communities from violent crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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