Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Birmingham Men in Separate Business Robberies
BIRMINGHAM — A federal grand jury late Friday indicted two Birmingham men in unrelated armed robberies of businesses in 2013 and 2014, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton, and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Glenn N. Anderson.
Separate indictments filed in U.S. District Court charge WILLLIAM BROWNLOW, 26, with two 2013 robberies in Talladega, and TOMMY LEON STEWART, 28, with two Birmingham area robberies in 2014.
The three-count indictment against Brownlow charges him with robbing both the Shoe Show on East Battle Street in Talladega and the Wesco gas station and convenience store on Fort Lashley Avenue in Talladega on Nov. 12, 2013. The indictment also charges Brownlow with brandishing a firearm during the Wesco robbery.
The three-count indictment against Stewart charges him with robbing a CVS Pharmacy on Center Point Parkway in Center Point on Oct. 21, 2014, and a CVS Pharmacy on Alabama Highway 75 in Pinson on Oct. 29, 2014. The indictment also charges Stewart with brandishing a firearm during the Oct. 29 robbery.
The maximum prison penalty for the robbery charge is 20 years. The charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of seven years, which must be served after completion of any other sentence imposed for the crime.
ATF investigated the case against Brownlow. FBI investigated the case against Stewart. Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Felton is prosecuting both cases.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
