A local man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with a convenience store robbery in northwest Tallahassee, during which the suspect fired his gun into the floor, prosecutors said.
Laquinton Harris, 36, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin of the Northern District of Florida. (Hobbs Act robbery affects interstate or foreign commerce.)
The crime occurred at the Z Mart convenience store, 4015 Fred George Road, on Jan. 30.
“During the investigation, Leon County sheriff’s deputies found an apparent bullet strike on the wooden flooring and a spent .22 caliber shell casing,” an Aug. 10 news release said. “On April 2, 2026, ATF executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence and found a .22 caliber rifle, which ballistic testing showed matched the shell casing found in the Z Mart.
“They also found distinctive clothing that matched clothing worn by the robber,” it added. “The defendant’s DNA was found on both the pants and gloves recovered during the search warrant.”
Harris now faces a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment, followed by up to 5 years of supervised release, and up to a $750,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Oct. 19 in the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor, according to court dockets.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Harris is represented by the Federal Public Defender’s Office.
Jim Rosica can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow him on X.com: @JimRosicaFL.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Man pleads guilty to mini-mart robbery in northwest Tallahassee
Reporting by Jim Rosica, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Rosica, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
