A Tennessee man, Justin Alan Seymour, has been indicted for robbing a pizza shop in Tampa, Florida. The United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the superseding indictment which charges Seymour with Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Previously, Seymour was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
If found guilty, Seymour could face up to 20 years in federal prison for the robbery charge, life imprisonment for the first firearm offense, and up to 15 years for the second firearm offense.
Court documents reveal that on October 21, 2024, Seymour allegedly robbed a pizza shop on Fowler Avenue while armed. Two days later, law enforcement stopped his vehicle and discovered a firearm in his waistband. Due to his prior felony conviction for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman will prosecute the case while forfeiture proceedings are managed by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on building community trust and legitimacy, supporting preventive community organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.