Spring Hill Man Pleads Guilty To Carjacking And Robbery

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Middle District of Florida
24 June 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Wilson Antonio Lopez (32, Spring Hill) has pleaded guilty to carjacking and interference with commerce by robbery. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for the carjacking count and up to 20 years in prison for the robbery count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on March 17, 2015, Lopez approached a woman seated in a sport utility vehicle and grabbed her by the shirt. He then threatened to shoot the woman if she did not get out of the vehicle. When the woman attempted to reach for her keys, Lopez forced her out of the SUV and drove away.

On March 26, 2015, Lopez and two armed men robbed the Nebraska Food Market of nearly $10,000. As the three robbers fled, a bystander attempted to confront them and was shot in the neck. One of the robbers then shot Lopez. Lopez was apprehended by investigators a short distance away from the store.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.