Florida Men Indicted for Armed Robbery of Local Family

Two men from Florida face federal charges after a robbery involving one masquerading as a utility worker. Jay El Wilburn, 47, and Alvaughn Parker, 27, both from Tampa, are charged with numerous offenses. These include conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, a federal law against robberies impacting interstate commerce, actual robbery, firearm use during a violent crime, and firearm possession by a convicted felon.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a Tampa apartment on January 20 following reports of an armed robbery. Wilburn allegedly disguised himself in a hard hat and reflective vest to enter an apartment occupied by a man, woman, and 13-year-old boy.

“Wilburn allegedly posed as a utility worker, wearing a hard hat and a reflective vest, to gain entry,” federal prosecutors detailed.

Inside, Wilburn wielded a Taurus PT58S .380-caliber pistol. He grabbed the woman and pressed the gun to her stomach, forcing her to zip-tie the man’s and teenager’s hands behind their backs. Parker, masked and wearing all black, joined him. The duo stole $15,000 in cash, controlled substances, three firearms, marijuana, and jewelry from the victims before fleeing.

Surveillance footage, license plate readers, and investigative methods linked the suspects to the robbery. On February 2, ATF agents executed a federal search warrant at Wilburn’s residence. They recovered the loaded firearm used during the crime.

Wilburn’s prior felonies include carjacking and firearm use in violent crimes, barring him from possessing guns. He has served a federal prison sentence for firearm use in a violent act.