Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Richard Allen Randolph to 106 years and six months in federal prison for a series of crimes, including Hobbs Act robberies, attempted robbery, brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm during the commission of these robberies. The court also ordered the forfeiture of a Beretta Pico pistol used in the offenses. Randolph was found guilty by a federal jury on April 19, 2024.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that between January 27 and February 26, 2020, Randolph committed four robberies in Tampa while wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facial covering. During each incident, he brandished a Beretta Pico pistol to threaten victims and stole cash from registers. On February 26, during an attempted robbery, Randolph again concealed his identity and threatened a store clerk with the firearm. A confrontation ensued when the victim’s boyfriend intervened outside the store. Randolph discharged the pistol twice as they fled, leaving bullet casings behind.

In July 2021, Collier County Sheriff's Office stopped an individual possessing a Beretta Pico pistol who did not match the description of the robber but claimed to have purchased it from Randolph. Forensic examiners later confirmed this pistol was used in Randolph's last robbery.

During trial proceedings, victims recounted their fear during the robberies but could not identify Randolph due to his disguise. Key evidence included testimony about the recovered pistol from a former co-worker of Randolph's and forensic analyses by ATF laboratories.

The case involved investigations by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Tampa Police Department; and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and Brooke Padgett prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. In May 2021, an enhanced strategy was launched focusing on trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.