Lakeland Couple Pleads Guilty To String Of Armed Robberies: U.S. DOJ

LAKELAND, FL — A Lakeland couple pleaded guilty to a string of armed robberies that took place in August and violated the Hobbs Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Andres Correa, 39, pleaded guilty to four Hobbs Act robberies, four counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiring to commit the robberies.

Cassandra Kerr, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and conspiring to commit the robberies.

Their sentencing dates haven’t been set. Each faces up to life in federal prison.

Correa and Kerr robbed a food truck on Sheldon Road in Tampa on July 28, the U.S. DOJ said.

During the robbery, Correa went into the truck brandishing a gun while demanding money from two victims. Kerr acted as a lookout during the robbery.

The couple robbed a gas station in Tampa on Aug. 5, during which Correa brandished a pistol and demanded money. He pointed the gun into one of the victims’ stomachs until they gave him money, the DOJ said.

Kerr also acted as a lookout for Correa during this robbery, waiting outside the store in her vehicle.

Two days later, Correa and Kerr robbed a food mart in Tampa. He went into the store and pulled out a gun from his chest area while demanding money.

Correa held one of the store clerks at gunpoint until he was given cash from the register, the DOJ said.

Kerr again acted as a lookout during the robbery.

On Aug. 19, Correa robbed a smoke shop in Seffner.

After pulling out a gun, Correa grabbed a customer and moved him back towards the counter, pointing a gun at the back of his head while demanding cash, the DOJ said. The clerk complied and handed Correa the cash from the register.

FBI and ​​Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, along with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives, executed search warrants at two homes on Aug. 26.

Inside one of the homes, they found clothing and a gun consistent with what was worn and used in the robberies, a stomach holster, and a ledger with a list of banks and smoke shops and directions to the businesses, the DOJ said.

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