Raymond Tracy Mintz, III, a 32-year-old resident of Shelby, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 178 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his involvement in two armed robberies. The sentencing was announced by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

The announcement was supported by Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North and South Carolina, along with Chief Brad Fraser of the Shelby Police Department.

Court documents and the sentencing hearing revealed that on November 10, 2022, Mintz entered the Vape and Brew store in Shelby armed with a firearm. He wore gloves, a beanie, a bandana over his mouth, black sweatpants with a “Tasmanian Devil” cartoon character on one leg, and sneakers with gold accents. Mintz threatened two employees at gunpoint before stealing more than $1,600 and fleeing.

Mintz was apprehended two days later at an area hotel where he had been staying. Law enforcement recovered the pistol suspected to have been used during the robbery after reviewing video surveillance footage showing Mintz discarding evidence near a dumpster.

The second robbery took place on December 1, 2023, when Mintz robbed Curve View Express in Shelby. He brandished a black handgun with an extended magazine at two clerks before escaping with $1,604 placed in a black grocery-style bag. An officer found him shortly afterward carrying the bag. Upon pursuit by law enforcement, Mintz discarded the handgun into nearby grass but was soon arrested.

Mintz pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on August 14, 2024. He is currently held in federal custody pending transfer to a designated federal facility.

The investigation was conducted by HSI and the Shelby Police Department with assistance from Kings Mountain Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Annabelle Chambers from Asheville's U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies and community organizations.