Turtle Creek Man Indicted on 18 Counts of Violent Robberies of Multiple Businesses, Carjackings, and Firearms Offenses

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The 18-count Indictment named Jamal Martel Brooks, 33, as the sole defendant. Brooks was previously prosecuted and convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 17 months of incarceration.

According to the Indictment, from January 3, 2023, to January 2, 2024, Brooks committed numerous violent crimes, including robberies of multiple businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area and two carjackings. Brooks is alleged to have brandished and possessed a firearm in connection with each of these crimes.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and the sentence on each such count must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. Due to the number of robberies alleged to have been committed by Brooks, he is facing a maximum total sentence of not less than 63 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Brooks also is currently facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in relation to his alleged shooting of a Monroeville Police Sergeant on January 3, 2024.

Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and DeMarr W. Moulton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Monroeville Police Department, and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.