U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Middle District of Florida

Middle District of Florida

www.justice.gov/usao/flm

For Immediate Release

February 16, 2012

Orlando Man Convicted of Hobbs Act Robberies

Orlando, Florida — U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that a federal jury today found Kenneth Harris (41, Orlando) guilty of three Hobbs Act robberies, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Harris had previously been convicted of five armed robberies. He faces a mandatory minimum of life in federal prison.

Harris was indicted on July 6, 2011. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2012.

According to evidence presented at trial, Harris robbed a GameStop retail store in Orlando, on four separate occasions. Harris brandished a firearm each time while workers and customers were present in the store. During the first robbery, Harris stole money from the cash registers and the safe. During the second robbery, he stole money from the cash register. During the third robbery, he demanded cash from the cash registers and the safe. When a store worker told Harris that the safe had a ten minute delay, Harris shot the store worker.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

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, is 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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