A man convicted of robbing five cash loan businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson announced.
U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor sentenced Charles Brownlee, 37, to 720 months in prison on July 18, along with a $21,123.47 reparation order.
Brownlee was found guilty by a jury in March 2025 of Hobbs Act Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Hobbs Act Interference with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Between May 9 and May 21, 2024, Brownlee, a convicted felon, robbed five Cash Store stores at gunpoint.
Brownlee targeted businesses in Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Euless, Hurst, and Grapevine. Brownlee, according to authorities, tried to conceal his identity throughout the thefts by wearing a medical mask, several baseball hats, and different clothing.
R. Joseph Rothrock, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge in Dallas, stressed the collaborative effort that resulted in the conviction. “The significant sentence received by the defendant is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Longhorn Violent Crimes Task Force to hold a violent, serial robber accountable,” Rothrock claimed. “This individual committed a series of robberies throughout Tarrant County, and strong partnerships with local law enforcement allowed us to stop these acts of violent crime.”
What they’re saying: “After terrorizing employees at multiple businesses throughout the DFW area, this defendant’s violent crime spree ended because of the stellar work of our law enforcement partners,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “The lengthy sentence imposed justly puts this serial felon behind bars for a very long time and serves as a message to others that we will vigorously prosecute those who jeopardize our communities’ safety.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock emphasized the collaborative effort that led to the conviction. “The significant sentence received by the defendant is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Longhorn Violent Crimes Task Force to hold a violent, serial robber accountable,” Rothrock said. “This individual committed a series of robberies throughout Tarrant County and strong partnerships with local law enforcement allowed us to stop these acts of violent crime.”
