Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging LENNIE DWAYNE BROOKS, 33, RANDY LORENZO BROOKS, 23, and AUTUMN MARIE NICHOLS, 20, each with one count of robbery. [1]
As alleged in the indictment, LENNIE BROOKS, RANDY BROOKS, and NICHOLS stole approximately $50,000 in cash belonging to the Shaung Hur Asian Markets and as a result, caused the death of a robbery victim.
ATF and local law enforcement executed federal search warrants the morning of Dec. 20, 2018. All three defendants are in custody and are scheduled to make their initial appearances today at 2:00 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The defendants are charged with violating the Hobbs Act. The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery affecting interstate or foreign commerce “in any way or degree."
This case is the result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by ATF, Eden Prairie Police Department, Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury Police Department, Cottage Grove Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Winona Police Department, Wabasha Police Department, Prior Lake Police Department, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Olmstead County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winona County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
LENNIE DWAYNE BROOKS, 33
Zumbro Falls, Minn.
Charges:
* Interference with Commerce by Robbery, 1 count
RANDY LORENZO BROOKS, 23
Wabasha, Minn.
Charges:
* Interference with Commerce by Robbery, 1 count
AUTUMN MARIE NICHOLS, 20
St. Paul, Minn.
Charges:
* Interference with Commerce by Robbery, 1 count
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
