FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
April 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO A SERIES OF ARMED ROBBERIES
IN SALISBURY, MARYLAND
Baltimore, Maryland - Charles Ayres, age 22, of Snow Hill, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possessing and brandishing a gun in furtherance of a crime of violence, in connection with a series of armed robberies in Salisbury, Maryland.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan and Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew Maciarello.
According to Ayres’ plea agreement, from April 2010 through June 2010, Ayres conspired with two other individuals to commit five armed robberies of businesses and individuals. On April 29, 2010, Ayers and his co-conspirators robbed a convenience store in the 1100 block of E. Church Street, in Salisbury. During the robbery, Ayres wore a ski mask and black clothing and threatened the store employees. A firearm was brandished and employees were injured and physically restrained during the robbery.
On May 10, 2010, Ayres and a co-conspirator robbed a marijuana dealer in the 1000 block of Arthur Court in Salisbury. Ayres knew that a firearm would be used during this robbery. Witnesses identified Ayres as committing the robbery. Ayres threatened the victim during the robbery. The marijuana was later sold for a profit.
On June 8, 2010, Ayres and a co-conspirator again robbed the convenience store in the 1100 block of E. Church Street and on the same day robbed another convenience store located in the 1000 block of Eastern Shore Drive in Salisbury. The next day, Ayres and a co-conspirator robbed a convenience store located in the 400 block of Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Several witnesses identified Ayres’ participation in these robberies. A firearm was brandished in each robbery.
Ayres faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake, has scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Ayres remains detained, as does co-defendant Angela Furniss, age 28, of Salisbury, Maryland, who previously pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme. Furniss is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended ATF, the Salisbury Police Department, and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kwame J. Manley and Antonio Reynolds, who are prosecuting the case.