Ensley Man Indicted for Four Armed Robberies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury indicted an Ensley man in connection with four armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.

An eight-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Eric Tyree Blanding, 46, with four counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, three counts of carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the indictment, Blanding committed four robberies at three different Family Dollar stores in Birmingham by brandishing a firearm at store employees and taking cash and other property. The robberies occurred in May and June of 2019.

The Hobbs Act prohibits the obstruction of commerce by robbery and carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a mandatory penalty of not less than 7 years in prison.

Being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

ATF investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.