Description: Houston, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robberies as well as discharging a firearm during one of the crimes.
Dominique Andrews pleaded guilty May 2, admitting he robbed two Auto Zone locations in Houston.
U.S. District David Hittner has now handed Andrews a 180-month term of imprisonment for the two robberies. He also received 120 months for the firearms discharge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. The total 300-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Andrews had a significant criminal history of violence and stated that an upward variance from the sentencing guidelines was warranted. In addition, he ordered restitution to the victims in both robberies.
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Crime Gun Strike Force will continue to aggressively investigate armed robbery crews not only to remove criminals from the streets but to reduce the trauma endured by the victims involved in these violent crimes,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski.
On Feb. 4, 2022, Andrews entered the Auto Zone on Cullen Boulevard and robbed an employee at gunpoint. He produced a silver semi-automatic firearm and demanded money from the victim. Fearing for her life, the employee complied. Andrews also took two car scanners. During the robbery, he discharged a round from his firearm.
The same day, Andrews went to another Auto Zone on Telephone Road. He again produced a silver semi-automatic firearm and demanded money from the employee victim. Andrews discharged several rounds from the firearm he was carrying while in the commission of the robbery. Andrews got more money and fled.
Andrews has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
ATF and the Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.
The ATF Crime Gun Strike Force is an ATF led, multi-agency approach, that utilizes crime gun intelligence and investigative resources to combat firearms related violent crime in the Greater Houston Area.
This case is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts and enhancing training, public awareness and education. It stems from the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Porto is prosecuting the case.
INTERFERENCE WITH COMMERCE BY ROBBERY
(1)
DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM DURING AND IN RELATION TO A CRIME OF VIOLENCE
(2)
INTERFERENCE WITH COMMERCE BY ROBBERY
(3)
Outcome: Committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 180 months each as to counts 1 and 3, to be served concurrently, and 120 months as to count 2, to be served consecutive, for a total term of 300 months. Supervised release for a term of 3 years each as to counts 1 and 3, and 5 years as to count 2 to be served concurrently for a total term of 5 years. Restitution of $2,203.98. Fine waived. Special assessment of $300.
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