United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has made an announcement stating that James Battle, Jr. (29, Palm Harbor) and Carlos Keanu Smith (28, Largo) have admitted their guilt in the crimes of Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm during the robbery. Each individual now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the robbery charges, as well as a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years, up to life imprisonment, for brandishing the firearm. In addition to these charges, Battle has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy in relation to the Hobbs Act Robbery, which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. Smith is set to be sentenced on March 20, 2024, while Battle’s sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2024.
According to court records, Battle and Smith met on the morning of June 9, 2023, with the intention of carrying out a robbery on an armored truck. They closely followed the armored truck’s route from Pinellas County to eastern Hillsborough County until they arrived at a gas station in Ellenton. Toll records from the Florida Department of Transportation indicate that Battle’s vehicle was only a few seconds behind the targeted armored truck that morning. Surveillance footage revealed that the vehicle continued to tail the armored truck to various locations before executing the robbery at the gas station in Ellenton, just as the driver returned to his vehicle. Battle and Smith approached the victim, aiming their pistols at him and forcing him to the ground, ultimately making off with over $150,000 from the armored truck.