Houston, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, two men have been convicted in relation to a string of armored car robberies that left a trail of destruction in their wake. Walter Keitric Freeman, 23, of Houston, and Allen Moore Jr., 46, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the robberies and attempted robbery of two armored cars operating in and around Houston.
The first incident occurred on Aug. 7, 2009, when a group of thieves attempted to rob a Loomis armored truck at the Bank of America on Old Spanish Trail. The thieves, armed with Glock pistols, shot at the guard, but he was able to recover. No money was obtained in the attempted robbery.
The second incident occurred on Nov. 21, 2009, when a guard was shot during a robbery at the Senor Check Cashing Store on South Gessner Road. Freeman fired his pistol and shot in the direction of the guard, who survived.
Loomis Armored US Inc., the company operating the trucks during the alleged robbery and robbery attempt, is a major player in the secured armored transport of United States currency in interstate commerce. The company maintains offices throughout the United States and was engaged in the business of picking up and delivering United States currency to financial institutions and check cashing businesses.
Hendrick Dwayne Lynn, 30, Chad Eric Haywood, 24, and Corinthians Lachell Phillips, 28, all of Houston, had previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in the crimes. Lynn and Haywood were convicted of two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, while Lynn and Phillips admitted to the conspiracy charge. Haywood also pleaded guilty to a count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The conspiracy charge and the convictions for interference with commerce by robbery both carry possible punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Haywood, Moore, and Freeman will also face at least an additional 10 years in federal prison for discharging a firearm during the commission of the robberies, which must be served consecutively to the other terms imposed.
U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller accepted the guilty pleas and set sentencing for Freeman and Moore for July 10, while the remaining defendants are set for July 12, 2013. With the exception of Phillips, all will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Basile.
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