Austin Man Indicted for Robbing Pawn Shop at Gunpoint

 In Austin today, a federal grand jury charged Joe Quinonez, age 32, of Austin with armed robbery in violation  of the Hobbs Act and a federal firearms charge, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division.

According to the indictment, Quinonez is charged with one count of violating the Hobbs Act or interfering with commerce by threats of violence.  The indictment alleges that on January 2, 2021, Quinonez entered a Cash America Pawn store in Austin and brandished a firearm at two persons in the store while robbing the store of firearms.  In addition, the indictment charges Quinonez with discharging a firearm during the robbery.

Quinonez was arrested by officers of the Austin Police Department on January 6, 2021 and has remained in police custody.  Quinonez will be remanded into federal custody for his initial appearance next week.

This case is part of Operation Undaunted, a program which draws on the partnerships among federal, state and local law enforcement coupled with prosecution authorities to tackle violent crime and protect the communities of central and west Texas.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.