A 20-year-old Clearwater resident, Jorge Serrano Espinoza, has been sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for his role in a brazen armored truck robbery1. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber, comes after Espinoza’s conviction on September 11, 2024, for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during the crime.
The Heist
On June 9, 2023, Espinoza, along with accomplices James Battle and Carlos Keanu Smith, executed a carefully planned robbery of an armored truck. The trio tracked the vehicle from Pinellas County to eastern Hillsborough County, finally striking at a gas station in Ellenton. Florida Department of Transportation toll records and surveillance footage documented their pursuit of the target.At the gas station, Battle and Smith confronted the armored truck driver at gunpoint, forcing him to the ground, while Espinoza acted as a lookout. The group successfully made off with over $150,000 from the vehicle.
Justice Served
Espinoza’s sentencing marks the final chapter in the prosecution of this criminal enterprise. His accomplices have already faced justice:
- James Battle: Sentenced to 10 years in federal prison
- Carlos Keanu Smith: Sentenced to 9 years in prison
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth led the prosecution, with Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench handling the forfeiture aspects of the case.
Broader Impact
This conviction is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program, reinforced by the Department of Justice in May 2021, focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, and implementing strategic law enforcement priorities to create safer neighborhoods across the United States.
