Third Man Arrested in Hotel Robbery

HOUSTON – Three alleged members of the 103 criminal street gang have been charged for their participation in a robbery of America’s Best Value Inn hotel, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Two were previously in custody. Law enforcement arrested the third man - Bernard Robinson, 19 – yesterday. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan today at 10:00 a.m.    

A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment April 25, 2019, against Leonard Murphy, 19, Corey Bishop, 20, and Robinson. Bishop and Murphy made their initial appearances May 2, 2019, at which time U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan found them to be a danger to the community and ordered them into custody pending further criminal proceedings. They are currently set for trial in October 2019.

The three men are each charged with one count of robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. 

The indictment alleges that on July 26, 2018, law enforcement responded to an aggravated robbery at the America’s Best Value Inn on the Southeast side of Houston. Upon arrival, authorities officers discovered that a group of males had allegedly confronted the hotel’s clerk and demanded access to the cash kept in the lobby. The indictment alleges the three men pistol-whipped the clerk and ultimately shot him.

After stealing the money, they fled from the hotel and into a waiting vehicle, according to the charges.

If convicted, each faces up to 20 years imprisonment for the robbery. The firearms charges also carries a minimum of 10 years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. Each conviction also carries a possible fine of up to $250,000.

The Houston Police Department and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Collins is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.