Florida man pleads guilty to convenience store robberies

FLORIDA – A Florida man has pleaded guilty to a series of convenience store robberies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced that Enrique Marquez, 26, of Tampa, has pleaded guilty to four robberies, conspiracy to commit those robberies, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence while committing those robberies.

According to Handberg’s announcement, Marquez faces up to 20 years on each of the robbery counts and the conspiracy count. For the firearms offenses, he faces a minimum mandatory penalty of seven years, up to life, in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on May 5, 2022, Marquez and his co-defendants robbed two convenience stores in the Tampa area. During the robberies, Marquez reportedly brandished a firearm.

“The next morning, Marquez and his co-defendants robbed two more Tampa area convenience stores in the same manner. Additionally, on May 1, 2022, Marquez and one of his co-defendants attempted to rob an individual to obtain narcotics.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.