Newport News Man Indicted for Armed Robbery of Hampton Business

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Newport News man with the armed robbery of a local business in July 2016.

According to the indictment, Brian Gale, 54, robbed the Ricco’s Pizza located on West Mercury Boulevard on July 3, 2016. Gale entered through the rear of the business wearing a mask and armed with a firearm. After pushing one employee to the floor, he moved to the front of the store, where he demanded money from the store’s owner at gunpoint. Gale fired his weapon inside the store before taking money from the register and fleeing the scene.

Gale faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted of the robbery and a mandatory minimum consecutive penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted of discharging a firearm during the robbery. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin C. Gratton is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.