Florida man accused of shooting clerk sentenced for two armed robberies

FLORIDA – A Florida man who reportedly shot a store clerk during an armed robbery has been sentenced for that robbery and one other.

U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Jamaal Black, 21, of Riverview, to 15 years in federal prison for two armed robberies and discharging a firearm during one of the robberies.

Black pleaded guilty on January 26, 2023.

According to court documents, on January 30, 2021, Black entered a gas station in Riverview, pulled out a pistol with an extended magazine, aimed it at a clerk, and demanded money. Black attempted to go behind the counter when the clerk refused to give Black the money. Black engaged in an altercation with the clerk and shot the clerk in the arm during the struggle.

After the clerk fell to the ground, Black is said to have approached, aimed the firearm at the clerk, and repeated the demand for money. The clerk, reportedly bleeding profusely from the gunshot wound, complied. The clerk gave Black the contents of the cash register, and Black escaped the gas station with $200, said prosecutors.

Two months later, on March 14, 2021, Black allegedly committed another robbery.

Black is said to have used a juvenile girl to arrange a marijuana transaction. The girl reportedly went to a local drug dealer’s home under the guise of purchasing marijuana. Black approached the dealer when the dealer retrieved the marijuana.

Black allegedly pressed a firearm to the drug dealer’s head and demanded the pot. The drug dealer threw the marijuana at Black and retreated into the home.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally prosecuted it.