Clearwater Armored Truck Robber Sentenced To Prison: U.S. DOJ

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater man will spend time in federal prison for his role in a 2023 armored truck robbery, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Jorge Serrano Espinoza, 20, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the robbery.

He was convicted of these charges at a Sept. 11 trial.

Espinoza, James Battle and Carlos Keanu Smith met the morning of June 9, 2023, to rob the armored truck, the DOJ said.

They followed the truck along its route from Pinellas County to eastern Hillsborough County before reaching a gas station in Ellenton.

Toll records show their vehicle following seconds behind the targeted armored truck that morning, the agency said.

Surveillance video also showed their vehicle following the truck to other locations before robbing it at the Ellenton gas station.

As the driver returned to the armored truck, Battle and Smith approached him, pointing pistols at the victim and forcing him to the ground, the DOJ said. Espinoza served as the lookout.

The trio stole more than $150,000 from the truck.

Battle was previously sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, while Smith was given nine years in prison.