Malik Mingo, Armed Robbery, Alabama 2023

BIRMINGHAM – Two Tuscaloosa men have been indicted in connection with a series of armed store robberies in Tuscaloosa County that left many innocent people shaken.

A nine-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Jose Antonio Brown, 34, and Kelvin Quntavius Thomas, 28, with robbing a Chevron convenience store and three Dollar General stores, as well as employees at the stores at the time of the robberies.

The indictment also charges Brown and Thomas with either brandishing or discharging firearms during the robberies, and charges Brown as a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm.

“The safety of many innocent people was threatened during this string of armed store robberies in Tuscaloosa County,” said U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town. “Thanks to a combined investigation by local investigators and the ATF, coupled with the bravery of a Tuscaloosa County Deputy Sheriff in apprehending these men, these defendants have been charged with federal crimes and will be brought to account in federal court.”

The indictment charges Brown and Thomas with Hobbs Act robberies at the following stores: Chevron convenience store, 7836 Alabama Highway 69 South, Tuscaloosa, on Dec. 24, 2017; Dollar General, 4419 U.S. Highway 43, Northport, on Jan. 23, 2018; Dollar General, 6520 Hargrove Road, Tuscaloosa, on Jan. 30, 2018; and Dollar General, 11573 U.S. Highway 82 East, Duncanville, on April 2, 2018.

The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery that affects interstate commerce and that involves the taking of property from another person by means of actual or threatened force or violence. The maximum penalty for Hobbs Act robbery is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence focuses on reducing violent crime and disrupting the shooting cycle that negatively impacts our neighborhoods,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. “The priority of protecting the public is evident with these indictments.”