An armed serial robber who targeted cash loan businesses in the Fort Worth metroplex has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy E. Larson.
Charles Brownlee, aged 37, was convicted in March 2025 on multiple charges including Hobbs Act Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor sentenced him to 720 months in federal prison and ordered restitution of $21,123.47.
The trial revealed that between May 9 and May 21, 2024, Brownlee robbed five Cash Store businesses at gunpoint in various locations including Grand Prairie and Fort Worth. To hide his identity, he used a medical mask and changed his appearance for each robbery.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson stated, “After terrorizing employees at multiple businesses throughout the DFW area, this defendant’s violent crime spree ended because of the stellar work of our law enforcement partners.” She added that the sentence serves as a message about prosecuting those who threaten community safety.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock commented on the collaborative efforts leading to Brownlee's conviction: “The significant sentence received by the defendant is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Longhorn Violent Crimes Task Force to hold a violent, serial robber accountable.”
The investigation involved several law enforcement agencies including the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and multiple local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas led the prosecution.
