Brinks Truck Heist Prosecutions
1. United States v. Anthony Allen (1989, New York)
Facts: Allen participated in a Brinks armored truck robbery in Manhattan, stealing over $1.6 million. The robbery involved assaulting guards and using getaway vehicles.
Legal Issue: Armed robbery, conspiracy, Hobbs Act violations, and use of firearms in a crime of violence.
Prosecution: FBI and NYPD conducted surveillance and traced getaway routes. Ballistics and witness testimony identified Allen and co-conspirators.
Outcome: Allen was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution.
2. United States v. David McMahon (1997, Massachusetts)
Facts: McMahon led a crew that robbed a Brinks truck delivering cash to a bank in Boston. The heist involved assaulting armored guards with firearms.
Legal Issue: Armed robbery, conspiracy, Hobbs Act violations, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
Prosecution: Investigators used security footage, GPS tracking, and forensic analysis of weapons. Several co-conspirators testified against McMahon.
Outcome: McMahon was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, and restitution was ordered for the stolen $2.3 million.
3. United States v. Anthony Black (2003, California)
Facts: Black participated in a planned Brinks truck robbery in Los Angeles targeting a shipment of casino funds.
Legal Issue: Armed robbery, conspiracy, Hobbs Act violations, and use of explosives in a federal crime.
Prosecution: FBI coordinated with local police, recovering stolen cash and intercepting communications. Surveillance identified the crew and their escape plan.
Outcome: Black received 22 years in federal prison, and co-conspirators received sentences between 15–20 years.
4. United States v. Michael Platt (2010, New York)
Facts: Platt’s group ambushed a Brinks truck in Queens, attempting to steal over $1.1 million in cash. The guards resisted, leading to a violent confrontation.
Legal Issue: Hobbs Act robbery, armed assault, conspiracy, and firearms violations.
Prosecution: Evidence included armored truck security footage, recovered weapons, and GPS data. Co-conspirator testimony was critical.
Outcome: Platt was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, and restitution was awarded to Brinks.
5. United States v. Roberto Fernandez (2014, Florida)
Facts: Fernandez led a robbery of a Brinks truck transporting casino cash near Miami. The heist involved multiple armed suspects and a chase across state lines.
Legal Issue: Hobbs Act violations, armed robbery, interstate conspiracy, and firearms charges.
Prosecution: Authorities used traffic cameras, witness accounts, and recovered stolen cash to link Fernandez to the crime.
Outcome: Fernandez received 26 years in federal prison, with co-conspirators sentenced between 15–22 years.
6. United States v. Lamont Richardson (2017, Illinois)
Facts: Richardson participated in an armored truck robbery in Chicago, using insider information to intercept a Brinks shipment of cash.
Legal Issue: Armed robbery, conspiracy, Hobbs Act violations, and insider theft.
Prosecution: FBI and ATF traced communications, vehicle usage, and money transfers. Witness testimony helped establish the plot.
Outcome: Richardson received 20 years in federal prison, and restitution was ordered for $1.5 million.
7. United States v. James Johnson (2019, California)
Facts: Johnson’s crew targeted a Brinks armored truck delivering cash to a casino in Los Angeles. The crew used firearms and a stolen vehicle for the getaway.
Legal Issue: Hobbs Act violations, armed robbery, conspiracy, and firearm possession in a federal crime.
Prosecution: Law enforcement recovered part of the stolen cash, analyzed surveillance footage, and used phone records to link conspirators.
Outcome: Johnson received 23 years in federal prison, and co-conspirators received 15–20 years each.
Key Takeaways from Brinks Truck Heist Prosecutions
Legal Basis: Federal prosecutions rely on Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951), armed robbery statutes, firearms in crime of violence statutes, and interstate conspiracy laws.
Evidence: Security footage, GPS tracking, ballistics, phone records, and co-conspirator testimony are commonly used.
High Risk & Severe Penalties: Prison sentences typically range from 20–30 years, reflecting the violent and high-value nature of the crime.
Restitution: Courts usually order multi-million-dollar restitution to compensate Brinks or other financial institutions.
Coordination Among Law Enforcement: FBI, ATF, and local police frequently coordinate due to the interstate and violent aspects of heists.
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