Federal Jury Finds St. Paul Man Guilty Of Armed Robbery Of Roseville Pawn Shop

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the conviction of MARVIN SPENCER, 53, for the armed robbery of Pawn America in Roseville, Minn., on July 21, 2014. On April 8, 2015, SPENCER was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of Interference with Commerce by Robbery; one count of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery; one count of Using, Carrying and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and one count of Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition. On February 3, 2016, following a three-day trial, a federal jury found SPENCER guilty on all counts.

As proven at trial, on July 21, 2014, at approximately 5:30 p.m., SPENCER, and co-defendant DERRICK LYNCH, entered the Roseville, Minn. Pawn America. SPENCER, who was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, shot a store employee in the leg and then fired at least one more round in the direction of several store employees. While SPENCER was shooting, LYNCH used a heavy tool to smash a display case and then removed approximately $58,350 worth of jewelry from the case. Before leaving the pawn shop, SPENCER helped LYNCH place the stolen jewelry into a duffle bag.

As proven at trial, SPENCER and LYNCH fled the scene in a vehicle with one other individual who later admitted involvement in receiving some of the stolen jewelry. LYNCH was apprehended in Woodbury, Minn., on August 8, 2014. SPENCER was arrested in Moline, Ill., on August 26, 2014. SPENCER, a career criminal with a violent history, admitted to discharging a firearm during the robbery, but claimed that the first shot was accidental. LYNCH, who was indicted on October 7, 2014, pleaded guilty on December 17, 2014, to the armed robbery and to aiding and abetting SPENCER in using and, carrying and discharging the firearm. Sentencing hearings will be set at a later date.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Hollenhorst and Benjamin Bejar.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Roseville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Moline Police Department.

Defendant Information:

MARVIN SPENCER, 53

St. Paul, MN

Convicted:

• Interference with Commerce by Robbery, 1 count
• Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, 1 count
• Using, Carrying and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, 1 count
• Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Armed Career Criminal, 1 count

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600