Two Men Found Guilty Of Hobbs Act Robbery Of Cell Phone Store

 United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the conviction of RONALD JERMAINE JACKSON, 36, and WILLIAM CHARLES GRAHAM, 37, on Hobbs Act robbery and firearms charges. Following a three-day bench trial, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson found both JACKSON and GRAHAM guilty on all counts.

As proven at trial, on April 30, 2019, JACKSON and GRAHAM entered a T-Mobile reseller store in Brooklyn Park Minnesota, disguised in wigs, dust masks, and reflective vests. JACKSON was armed with an Accu-Tek AT380 .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and GRAHAM was armed with a BB gun that resembled a real handgun. JACKSON and GRAHAM forced two employees at gunpoint into a back room. GRAHAM used zip ties to restrain the employees while JACKSON filled mesh bags with cell phones. JACKSON and GRAHAM fled the store with more than 70 cell phones and other devices. Officers with the Brooklyn Park Police Department responded almost immediately to the robbery and were able to locate and apprehend JACKSON and GRAHAM in the parking lot of a nearby business.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Brooklyn Park Police Department, Champlin Police Department, and Osseo Police Department, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Justin A. Wesley tried the case.

Defendant Information:

RONALD JERMAINE JACKSON, 36

Plymouth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

WILLIAM CHARLES GRAHAM, 37

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count