Source: United States Department of Justice News
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday for allegedly robbing eight businesses at gunpoint.
George Perez (38) was arrested on January 25, 2022. He is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts ordered Perez to be held in custody pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 4, 2022.
According to allegations in the complaint, Perez robbed eight businesses in the Las Vegas area from January 19 to January 25, 2022. At each robbery, Perez approached the cashier with store merchandise, pretending he was going to purchase it. He then demanded money from the cashier while pointing a 9mm handgun. In total, Perez stole approximately $1,897.95 in cash and several merchandise items. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Perez soon after he fled from the last robbery.
Perez has prior felony convictions in Clark County and in Washington State. Accordingly, federal law prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
The statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for interference with commerce by robbery; the statutory minimum penalty is seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and the statutory maximum penalty is ten years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to imprisonment, Perez also faces a period of supervised release, a fine, and restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge W.M. Herrington for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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