DENVER – A jury today, after a day and a half of deliberations and following a two week trial found Colorado Springs resident Joshua Bodean Smith, age 22, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, guilty of two counts of armed Hobbs Act robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, United States Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone announced. A co-defendant, Bianca Soto, was acquitted of similar charges. The trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello. Smith is scheduled to be sentence on February 22, 2012.

According to the indictment, and facts presented at trial, on August 31, 2010 Smith, robbed a Cricket Communication Store located on South Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He used a firearm in relation to that crime of violence. On October 11, 2010, Smith robbed a Burger King restaurant on base within Fort Carson. He used a firearm during the commission of that crime of violence as well.

Smith faces not more than 20 years per count for the two counts of armed robbery (Hobbs Act). He also faces a mandatory consecutive 10 years to life for using a firearm during the first robbery, a crime of violence, and an additional mandatory consecutive 25 years to life for the second robbery, a crime of violence.

“The defendant in this case used a deadly weapon during two robberies,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the trial team, and the FBI, Colorado Springs Police Department and Army Investigators, he faces decades in federal prison – and Colorado is a safer place.”

“On behalf of the FBI, I would like to thank the jury for its service,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. “The verdict for Smith is a just result in light of the violent acts he committed and the manner in which he endangered innocent citizens.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Army Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Carson.

This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Gibson.

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