Jury Convicts Wendell Man of Armed Robberies

RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Lionel Robinson, 43, of Wendell, North Carolina for two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Robinson faces up to life in prison at sentencing which is scheduled for January of 2023.

“This conviction is a result of the coordinated collaboration of multiple local law enforcement agencies working together with their federal partners to take a dangerous criminal off the street,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “I am proud of the work of the investigative team to bring this defendant to justice.”

From January 2019 until March 2019, an armed robber committed several robberies throughout North Carolina. The robber, sometimes with an accomplice, targeted Aldi stores in Lexington, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Winterville, Indian Trail, and Kernersville. The robber would ring the back doorbell to the Aldi pretending to be a delivery driver. When an employee would answer the door, the robber would force his way into the business, holding the employee at gunpoint. During each robbery, the suspect was in full disguise, which included masks, gloves, and reflective vests. During the investigation, law enforcement identified Lionel Robinson as a potential suspect and executed a search warrant at his residence on May 7, 2019. During the search, law enforcement recovered evidence relevant to the robbery investigations, and they also recovered a large quantity of ammunition. Lionel Robinson is a convicted felon and armed career criminal who is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the jury’s verdict. The Rocky Mount Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Kernersville Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Rhoades and Yasir Sadat prosecuted and tried the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00017-BO-1.