Florida man pleads guilty to armed robberies of gas station, alleged drug dealer

FLORIDA – A Florida man has pleaded guilty to a pair of armed robberies in Hillsborough County.

Last week, Jamaal Black, 22, of Riverview, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to one of the robberies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced.

Black faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on each robbery count. The firearm offense carries a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in its statement.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

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

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

Two months later, on March 14, 2021, Black reportedly committed another robbery using a minor female to arrange for a marijuana transaction. The girl went to a local drug dealer’s home under the guise of purchasing marijuana.

Black approached the dealer when the dealer retrieved the marijuana for sale. Black reportedly pressed a firearm to the drug dealer’s head and demanded the marijuana. 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. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.