Dover Man Indicted For Attempted Murder Of ATF Agents: DOJ

TAMPA, FL — United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Francisco Cabrera, 28, of Dover with armed robbery, armed carjacking and attempting to murder federal agents.

If convicted on all counts, Cabrera faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 28 years up to life in federal prison.

According to the indictment, between Jan. 13 and 17, 2022, Cabrera robbed two smoke shops and one gas station in the Tampa Bay area. During each robbery, Cabrera showed victims a loaded magazine, inserted it into his pistol and pointed the gun at the victims.

On Jan. 19, Cabrera approached a victim at a gas station and carjacked him at gunpoint. The same day, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and Lakeland Police Department officers spotted Cabrera and attempted to stop the vehicle he was driving.

According to court documents, Cabrera fled at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in heavy midday traffic, including along Interstate 4. While fleeing, Cabrera fired multiple shots from the driver-side window at the agents and officers pursuing him. ATF agents returned fire, striking Cabrera and ending the pursuit. Cabrera survived his gunshot wound. No one else was struck by the gunfire.

Cabrera has been charged separately by the State Attorney’s Office 10th Judicial Circuit with attempted murder of the Lakeland police officers.