Lucas Tavares, a 34-year-old resident of Fargo, North Dakota, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for committing a Hobbs Act Robbery. The sentence, issued by Chief Judge Peter Welte, includes three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl.
The robbery took place on March 5, 2024, when Tavares targeted the Loaf ‘N Jug at 1201 N. University Ave in Fargo. Tavares reportedly threatened an employee with a knife. The Fargo Police Department quickly identified and apprehended Tavares on the day of the robbery. Subsequently, a federal grand jury charged him with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. Tavares entered a guilty plea on January 13, 2025.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, while the prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee leading the efforts.