U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Des Moines Man Pleads Guilty to 2016 String of Robberies of Git-N-Go, Kum & Go, Hy-Vee, and U.S. Bank
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa
DES MOINES, IA - On April 27, 2017, Alexander Hamilton, age 26, of Des Moines, Iowa, appeared before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams and entered pleas to interference with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone, an opioid. Hamilton admitted to committing the following robberies, charged in the November 21, 2016, indictment against him:
|
Date |
Count |
Business |
Location |
|
3/21/16 |
3 |
Git-N-Go |
4224 NW 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/22/16 |
4 |
Git-N-Go |
100 Watrous, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/23/16 |
6 |
Kum & Go |
4506 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA |
|
3/23/16 |
7 |
Git-N-Go |
816 E Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/24/16 |
8 |
Git-N-Go |
2601 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/29/16 |
10 |
Kum & Go |
4506 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA |
|
3/30/16 |
11 |
Kum & Go |
5830 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/30/16 |
12 |
Git-N-Go |
890 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA |
|
3/31/16 |
13 |
Git-N-Go |
2601 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/03/16 |
14 |
Git-N-Go |
4224 NW 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/05/16 |
15 |
Git-N-Go |
2911 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/06/16 |
16 |
Hy-Vee |
2540 E Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/08/16 |
17 |
Hy-Vee |
2540 E Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/11/16 |
18 |
Git-N-Go |
865 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/12/16 |
19 |
Git-N-Go |
2911 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/13/16 |
20 |
U.S. Bank |
2500 E Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA |
|
4/17/16 |
23 |
Hy-Vee |
1107 E Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA |
Hamilton admitted he obtained hydromorphone (Dilaudid) from co-defendant Luke Martin, Jr., and distributed it to others, including co-defendants Sarah Coe, Shelly Avery, and Christ Avery. Hamilton admitted these robberies helped fund the hydromorphone distribution conspiracy.
Co-defendant Luke Martin, Jr., previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone. Co-defendants Chris Avery and Shelly Avery each previously pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery. Co-defendant Sarah Coe previously pleaded guilty to bank robbery.
Defendants face potential maximum penalties under the statute of up to 20 years in prison on each of the plea counts.
Sentencings are presently scheduled as follows before Chief United States District Judge John A. Jarvey:
Luke Martin, Jr. June 8, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
Chris Avery July 6, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
Shelly Avery July 25, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Sarah Coe July 25, 2017, 9:30 a.m.
Alexander Hamilton September 12, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Ames Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
-END-
Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov
Updated April 28, 2017
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Violent Crime
Component