Charles Lenard Brownlee, 37, has been found guilty by a jury of robbing five cash loan businesses across the Fort Worth metroplex in May 2024.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham announced the verdict, which followed a two-and-a-half-day trial. Brownlee was convicted of Hobbs Act Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Hobbs Act Interference with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Brownlee robbed five Cash Store businesses in Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Euless, Hurst, and Grapevine between May 9 and May 21, 2024. He used a black Hyundai Santa Fe with a blue fuzzy steering wheel cover as his getaway vehicle.
An eyewitness testified to seeing Brownlee drop a cigarillo at one robbery scene and enter the getaway vehicle. DNA from the cigarillo matched Brownlee. Cellular phone data also placed him at or near each robbery location.
Brownlee’s girlfriend, who acted as his co-conspirator for two of the robberies, testified against him, detailing their planning and execution of the crimes, and his intent to rob jewelry stores with a Mini Draco-style firearm.
Upon his arrest, law enforcement recovered a black leather bag used in the robberies, a hat and medical mask worn during the crimes, and two loaded firearms, including a Mini Draco-style AK pistol. Brownlee's cell phone contained searches for Cash Stores, jewelry stores, and where to purchase a Mini Draco gun, as well as photos and videos of him with large sums of cash and smoking a cigarillo similar to the one found at the scene.
Brownlee faces a minimum of 35 years and up to life in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2025.
His co-conspirator pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery and will be sentenced on April 8, 2025.
The case was a collaborative effort between the FBI and local police departments in Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Euless, Hurst, and Grapevine. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric B. Chen and Levi Thomas prosecuted the case.
