Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Charges for Role in Taco John’s Robbery; Three Additional Men Charged

FARGO - U. S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on Jan. 29, 2016, Rico Jamal Brown, 27, and Calvin Michael Frederick Brown, 25, pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence-Hobbs Act Robbery.

On September 3, 2015, the Taco John’s restaurant, 2601 32nd Avenue South, Fargo, was robbed at gunpoint. During the robbery, two men entered the business and an employee was shot during the course of the robbery. Rico Brown admitted during his plea hearing to aiding and abetting this robbery by participating as a lookout and Calvin Brown admitted to being a get-away driver for the robbery.

Judge Erickson has set sentencing for both men to take place on April 21, 2016, in U. S. District Court, Fargo, ND.

On January 28, 2016, Tommy Trent, 29, made an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal on charges of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence-Hobbs Act Robbery.

Kadeem Malik Muhammed and Carl Eugene Smith, currently charged in Cass County District Court, are both scheduled for a court appearance in federal court on February 5, 2016, at 11:00 am; the case remains sealed until their first appearance.

This case is being investigated by the Fargo Police Department and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATFE).

U. S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers is prosecuting the case.