Two Winter Garden Men Convicted At Trial

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that yesterday a federal jury found Linell Devon Lowe (22) and Latavis Deyonta Mackroy (20) guilty of conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery and the brandishing of a firearm during the commission of the robbery.  Both men face a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment for the robbery, plus a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 7 years, up to life in prison, on the firearm offense. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2014. 

Lowe and Mackroy were indicted on December 11, 2013.  A third person, who acted as lookout during the robbery, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2014.

According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, on May 23, 2013, Lowe and Mackroy, armed with a firearm and a hammer, robbed the Value Pawn and Jewelry located at 2200 E. Semoran Boulevard, in Apopka, Florida. During the course of the robbery, they made death threats and intimidated two employees and a customer.  Mackroy repeatedly hit a customer with a hammer, and then stole approximately 100 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry, while Lowe pointed a gun at the manager, and stole the cash from the registers.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Apopka Police Department, with assistance from both the Winter Garden Police and Orlando Police Departments.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.