From the Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – On Wednesday a federal grand jury indicted two Tuscaloosa men in connection to a series of armed robberies in Tuscaloosa County. The robberies occurred between December 2017 and April 2018. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
Jose Antonio Brown, 34, and Kelvin Quntavius Thomas, 28, are charged with robbing a Chevron convenience store and three Dollar General stores, as well as employees at the stores at the time of the robberies. The indictment also charges Brown and Thomas with either brandishing or discharging firearms during the robberies, and charges Brown as a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm.
“The safety of many innocent people was threatened during this string of armed store robberies in Tuscaloosa County,” Town said. “Thanks to a combined investigation by local investigators and the ATF, coupled with the bravery of a Tuscaloosa County Deputy Sheriff in apprehending these men, these defendants have been charged with federal crimes and will be brought to account in federal court.”
“ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence focuses on reducing violent crime and disrupting the shooting cycle that negatively impacts our neighborhoods,” Watson said. “The priority of protecting the public is evident with these indictments.”
The case was investigated with the ATF, along with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Northport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood is prosecuting.