HOUSTON - Four men have been indicted on charges associated with the armed robbery of multiple La Michoacana meat markets in December 2015, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
A federal grand jury returned the 13-count indictment today against Billie Hawkins, 20, Laroderick Martin, 19, Jirron Curtis, 21, and Marcus Malbro, 18, all of Houston. They are currently in state custody and are expected to make their initial appearances before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.
The indictment alleges the four men robbed Houston-area La Michoacana meat markets and the Barri Financial Group Kiosks within the stores in December 2015. In each robbery, they were armed, masked and often fired shots into the stores and/or the ceilings, according to the charges. On some occasions they also allegedly assaulted employees. The indictment further indicates the men would drive a stolen vehicle to commit the robberies, then would meet a co-conspirator to depart in a “switch" vehicle.
Locations were scouted prior to the robberies to ensure there were no guards or security, according to the indictment.
The targeted locations included La Michoacana Meat Market and Barri kiosk at 8501 Gulf Freeway, La Michoacana Meat Market at 3910 Aldine Mail Road, La Michoacana Meat Market at 15707 Westpark Road and La Michoacana Meat Market on 1424 Spring Cypress Road in Spring.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment for aiding and abetting interference of commerce by robbery, upon conviction. For aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, the possible punishment is up to 10 years in federal prison. Further, if convicted of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, a defendant faces another mandatory and consecutive seven years. Each subsequent conviction for the use of a firearm is another 25 years which must be served consecutively to each other and to any other prison term imposed.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives conducted the investigation along with FBI, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia Moyer is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
