Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced the filing of a criminal complaint charging Phillip Johnson, 21, of Cocoa, with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, robbery, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted on all charges, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
The complaint details that, on the early morning of February 1, 2025, Johnson and two other individuals traveled from Brevard County to Tampa to commit a robbery. Upon arrival, they entered the Dreams Club near Ybor City, wearing all black clothing, ski masks, and armed with rifles and handguns. Inside the club, they demanded money from the victim, and Johnson allegedly shot the victim in the face.
A criminal complaint is a formal charge, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Cocoa Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
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