Tampa Area Man Pleads Guilty to Series of Convenience Store Robberies
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Enrique Marquez (26, 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. 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 7 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 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.
This 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.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
