Tampa Area Siblings Sentenced to 15 Years for Series of Convenience Store Robberies
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven has sentenced Christopher Alvarez (19, Tampa) and Dyonnie Alvarez (22, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for four Hobbs Act robberies, conspiracy to commit those robberies, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence during the commission of the robberies. Dyonnie Alvarez was also sentenced for an additional attempted Hobbs Act robbery. Both had previously pleaded guilty.
According to court documents, on May 5, 2022, Christopher and Dyonnie Alvarez and their codefendant, Enrique Marquez, robbed two convenience stores in the Tampa area. During the robberies, Marquez brandished a firearm. The next morning, the three individuals robbed two more Tampa area convenience stores in the same manner. Also, on May 1, 2022, Marquez and Dyonnie Alvarez attempted to rob an individual in an attempt to obtain narcotics.
Marquez previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on March 28, 2023, to 17 years and 11 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture was 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.
