A Little Rock man accused of taking part in a series of armed robberies and attempted armed robberies in central Arkansas pleaded guilty Friday to two of his 20 federal charges.
Marquis Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The first charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine. The second charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Under the plea agreement, federal prosecutors will drop the 18 other charges, along with an attempted-bank robbery charge in a separate case.
Robinson was one of three men arrested and charged in the robberies and attempted robberies. He is the first to plead guilty.
According to court documents, Robinson, Darius Antonio Malvin, both of Little Rock, and Justin Lamar Williams of England were arrested in 2013 in what the team of law enforcement officers dubbed "Operation Summer Blast."
Several of the armed robberies took place at fast-food restaurants, mostly Sonic Drive-Ins. The robbers struck near closing time and locked employees inside freezers before leaving, authorities have said.
The businesses include five Sonic Drive-Ins in Little Rock, Cabot and Sherwood; two Subway restaurants in Little Rock and North Little Rock; a Yogurt Mountain restaurant in Little Rock; and a Dollar General store in North Little Rock.
In the separate case, Robinson also known as Juiceman, Malvin, and another man, Desmond Jones, are accused of attempting to rob a Bank of England branch at 11044 Arkansas 165 in North Little Rock.
Metro on 09/20/2014