TAMPA, Fla. – A 31-year-old Tampa man is facing a decade or more behind bars after a string of forensic slips and a distinctive piece of body art linked him to a violent armed robbery last spring.
Rafael Jimenez officially pleaded guilty this week to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of possession and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the plea, which brings an end to a case that began with a single gunshot inside a local convenience store.
The incident dates back to March 8, 2025, when court records show Jimenez walked into a Tampa gas station and pulled out a gun.
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While demanding cash from the register, Jimenez reportedly fired a shot toward the store clerk. The bullet struck the floor directly behind the employee, though no injuries were reported from the gunfire. Jimenez fled the scene with over $600 and several packs of cigarettes.
Investigators from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives eventually narrowed their search by looking at surveillance footage from the days leading up to the heist.
They spotted a man who shared Jimenez’s physical build and, most notably, a “distinctive tattoo” that matched the robber’s description. The digital trail grew stronger when cameras captured a vehicle similar to Jimenez’s circling the area before and after the crime occurred.
Federal agents ultimately found the “smoking gun” in Jimenez’s own waste. A search of his trash turned up a ski mask, gloves, and the exact brand of cigarettes stolen during the robbery. Because of his status as a convicted felon, Jimenez was legally prohibited from carrying the ammunition found during the investigation.
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The prosecution of the case is being led by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman, while Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky manages the forfeiture proceedings.
This local arrest was funneled through “Operation Take Back America,” a broad Department of Justice initiative designed to pool resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods. The program aims to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and curb violent crime across the country.
Jimenez is now waiting for his day in court to learn his fate. His sentencing hearing is currently set for April 23, 2026.
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