Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the return of a superseding indictment charging Roderick Randolph Lester (38, Jacksonville) with robbery of a Jacksonville tire store, brandishing a firearm during the robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Lester that the United States intends to forfeit the Taurus semiautomatic pistol he used during the robbery.

 

According to the indictment, on September 26, 2016, Lester robbed Glover’s New and Used Tires, in Jacksonville, of a Michelin-brand tire while brandishing a firearm. Lester had been previously convicted of seven felonies, including manslaughter, burglary, and two previous convictions for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Additionally, he was subject to federal supervision by the U.S. Probation Office when he committed the recent robbery and related offenses.

 

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

 

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, along with Daryl R. McCrary, 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.