A string of brazen armed robberies at Cash America Pawn stores in Houston, Texas, has been brought to a close with the sentencing of two Houston men. Patrick Earl Cooper Jr., 20, and Joe Gutierrez were found guilty of participating in the robberies, which resulted in the theft of firearms, cash, and jewelry.
The first robbery occurred on October 31, 2017, at the Cash America Pawn store located at 8223 North Freeway. In this incident, Cooper and Derrick Stewart used guns to intimidate the store’s employees and made off with a haul of cash, jewelry, and firearms. Just a few hours later, at around 6:30 pm, Gutierrez committed a similar robbery at the Cash America Pawn store at 1816 North Durham Street, using a knife to threaten the employees and steal cash and other valuables.
The robbers were eventually caught and arrested on October 31, 2017, after a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Houston Police Department, and the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office. Cooper was sentenced to 108 months in prison for his role in the robberies, with an additional 7 years for using a firearm during the crimes. This brings the total sentence to 16 years, which will be followed by 2 years of supervised release.
Gutierrez received a sentence of 76 months, also for using a knife during the robbery. Both men will serve 2 years of supervised release after their prison sentences are completed. Derrick Stewart, the third participant in the robberies, is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2018.
In imposing the sentence, the court found that Cooper lacked remorse for his crimes and had not accepted responsibility, citing an incident in which he assaulted a fellow inmate while awaiting sentencing.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by bringing together law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The program was reinvigorated in 2017 by Attorney General Jeff Sessions as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Patrick Earl Cooper Jr.
- Criminal Charges: Two armed robberies and using a firearm during a robbery
- City and State: Houston, Texas
- Exact Date: October 31, 2017 (arrest and sentencing date)
- Sentence: 108 months in prison, plus 7 years for using a firearm during the crimes, for a total of 16 years
- Dollar Amounts: None mentioned
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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