Ensley Man Indicted In Four Armed Robbery Cases

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A federal grand jury indicted an Ensley man Tuesday in connection with four armed robberies which occurred in May and June of 2019.

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 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.