Press Release
PORT ST. LUCIE MAN CONVICTED OF ROBBERY, CARJACKING AND FIREARMS VIOLATIONS
July 6, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced today's conviction of defendant Kurt D. Anderson following a four-day trial in Fort Pierce on armed robbery, carjacking and firearms charges. Co-defendant Leon D. Clarke pled guilty to his participation in the crimes on June 22, 2007.
Anderson and Clarke were arrested in Cobb County, Georgia following a crime spree that lasted two weeks and spanned three Florida counties. Clarke admitted that on January 23, 2007, in Palm Beach County, he attempted to carjack a Lexus automobile while brandishing a firearm, and thereafter, carjacked an Oldsmobile from a parking lot in Boynton Beach.
On February 3, 2007, Anderson and Clarke, each armed with weapons, robbed a Publix Super Market in Port St. Lucie, getting away with cash and checks. Also on February 3, 2007, Anderson robbed the Lil' Saints Texaco in Stuart, brandishing two firearms and discharging one into the surveillance system before fleeing the scene with cash and coins. On February 4, 2007, Anderson and Clarke, driving the stolen Oldsmobile, carjacked an Audi from a gas station in Port St. Lucie, Florida, with Anderson pointing a revolver at the driver.
The jury found Anderson guilty of eleven counts including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence (Count 1); interference with commerce by threats or violence (Counts 2 & 6); brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence (Counts 3 & 11); discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence (Count 7); felon in possession of a firearm (Counts 4, 8 &12); (conspiracy to commit carjacking (Count 9); and carjacking (Count 10).
Clarke previously pled guilty to the following counts: conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence (Count 1); interference with commerce by threats or violence (Count 2); brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence (Counts 3 & 15) ; conspiracy to commit carjacking (Count 9); and carjacking (Counts 10, 13 & 14).
Sentencing for both Anderson and Clarke is scheduled for September 5, 2007 in Fort Pierce. The maximum penalties for each of these crimes, respectively, is: Count 1: 20 years' imprisonment; Count 2: 20 years' imprisonment; Count 3: life imprisonment; Count 4: 10 years' imprisonment; Count 6: 20 years' imprisonment; Count 7: life imprisonment; Count 8: 10 years' imprisonment; Count 9: 5 years' imprisonment; Count 10: 15 years' imprisonment; Count 11: life imprisonment; Count 12: 10 years' imprisonment; Count 13: 15 years' imprisonment; Count 14: 15 years' imprisonment; and Count 15: life imprisonment.
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, the Martin County Sheriff's Office, the Boynton Beach Police Department and the Cobb County, Georgia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Corey Steinberg and Beth Sreenan.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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