Orlando Man Facing Life in Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty to Robbery and Firearms Charges
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that Sean Batura (21, Orlando) pleaded guilty earlier this week to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Batura faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 32 years, up to life in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, on the morning of May 17, 2011, Batura entered a Steak ’n Shake restaurant located at 2700 Semoran Boulevard, in Orlando, and approached an employee at the counter. Batura drew a black semi-automatic pistol, pointed it at the employee, and demanded money. After obtaining approximately $278, Batura fled the restaurant.
Three days later, on the morning of May 20, 2011, Batura entered a McDonald’s restaurant located at 451 Goldenrod Road, in Orlando. He walked behind the counter, drew a black semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the restaurant employees. Batura ordered the employees to the back of the kitchen area at gunpoint, and demanded that someone open the safe. The manager placed the restaurant's money into a blue zipper-style bank bag. Batura then fled the store with approximately $1,000.
Six days later, on the afternoon May 26, 2011, Batura entered the Burger King restaurant located at 12001 Collegiate Way, in Orlando. He approached an employee, removed a black semi-automatic pistol from under his shirt and demanded money. Batura pulled back the slide on the firearm, threatened the manager and eventually obtained approximately $325 before fleeing the restaurant. Video surveillance images from the restaurant showed Batura pointing the gun at the customers and employees, including a small child.
On June 9, 2011, Batura was identified by authorities and arrested. A subsequent search of his residence revealed a black semi-automatic handgun and the blue zippered bag from the McDonald's robbery.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods
program – a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Virginia O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, in coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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