Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the indictment of Jose Flores Avila, a 33-year-old resident of Sorrento, on charges related to two robberies at Circle K stores in Lake and Orange Counties. Avila faces two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The robbery charges could result in up to 20 years in prison for each count, while the firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, potentially extending to life imprisonment.
The indictment alleges that Avila committed the first robbery on May 23, 2024, at a Circle K store in Zellwood, Florida. During this incident, he reportedly brandished a firearm and stole currency and cigarettes from an employee. The second robbery occurred two days later on May 25, 2024, at another Circle K location in Sorrento, Florida, where Avila is accused of taking similar items from a store employee.
It is important to note that an indictment serves as a formal accusation and does not imply guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation alongside the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos will prosecute the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts by community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
