Jorge Serrano Espinoza, age 20, of Clearwater, was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the robbery. Espinoza was convicted at trial on September 11, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the morning of June 9, 2023, Espinoza, James Battle, and Carlos Keanu Smith met to rob an armored truck. They followed the armored truck along its route from Pinellas County to eastern Hillsborough County before reaching a gas station in Ellenton. Florida Department of Transportation toll records showed the vehicle following seconds behind the targeted armored truck that morning. A surveillance video showed the car following the armored truck to other locations before conducting the robbery at the gas station in Ellenton. As the driver returned to the armored truck, Battle and Smith approached, pointing pistols at the victim and forcing him to the ground. Espinoza served as the lookout. The trio stole more than $150,000 from the armored truck.
Battle was previously sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and Smith was previously sentenced to 9 years.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth prosecuted it. Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench is handling the forfeiture.