A Florida couple was arrested after committing armed robberies in counties along I-75. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the filing of a criminal complaint charging 21-year-old Taleah Williams, of North Fort Myers, and 21-year-old Javion Ward, of Fort Myers, with Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, the Lee County couple conspired to commit numerous armed robberies the week of September 15, 2025, in Hillsborough County, Sumter County, Manatee County, and Sarasota County, all in close proximity to I-75. For each robbery, Williams or Ward entered the stores armed with a firearm and demanded money from the clerk.
The complaint alleges that Williams devised a plan to rob stores near I-75. She provided the vehicle and the firearm that they would use. On September 16, 2025, Ward and Williams drove to a convenience store in Tampa. Ward entered the store, brandished a pistol, and demanded money, obtaining about $600.
In the early morning of September 17, 2025, Williams and Ward drove to a gas station in Lake Panasoffkee, where Williams attempted to rob the store using the same firearm, before she ultimately left without taking any money…