Suicidal man admits to deliberately ramming military base

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 47-year-old Beeville man charged with destruction of U.S. government property and possession of a stolen firearm has admitted his guilt, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Brian Dale Robinson pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.

Robinson admitted he knew the firearm in his possession was stolen and he intentionally damaged federal property. He had hit a barricade located at the North gate entrance of the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Corpus Christi.

On Oct. 7, Robinson was at a gas station in Beeville when he spotted a Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck with the engine running. He then entered that vehicle without permission and drove straight to Corpus Christi. There, he approached the NAS and attempted to gain unauthorized access to the base by crashing through the gate. However, the vehicle became inoperable after he hit the barricade.

Robinson exited the pickup truck and fled on foot into the base with a handgun he had stolen from the vehicle and hid next to a dumpster. Law enforcement immediately arrested him. Robinson claimed he had suicidal thoughts. However, he opted to drop the weapon so no one else would be hurt. Following his arrest, they located an HS Produkt, model XDM-9, 9mm pistol loaded with a full magazine. 

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing March 19, 2020. At that time, Robinson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting the case.