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A federal jury convicted a High Point man Friday, December 11 on charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence and witness tampering, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Charles Walker Jr., a/k/a “Supreme,” 56, was convicted after a five-day trial in New Bern. The case involved two Hobbs Act robberies at Kay Jewelry stores, one in Elizabeth City and one in Garner. The robbers were able to get away with almost $600,000 worth of jewelry.

“These were violent robberies as firearms were brandished during both robberies. During one of the robberies, a store employee was handcuffed behind her back and left in a backroom of the store,” stated the release. “During the trial, the defendant took the stand and admitted during cross-examination that he is closely associated with a high-ranking Blood member in Greensboro.

“Walker is an extremely violent and dangerous individual. He was previously convicted of first-degree murder,” the release continued. “He ultimately won a new trial and pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact to murder after he had served 17 years in prison.”

Walker faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced, which is set for February 26, 2021. Co-defendants Christopher Brown, Malik Maynard and Byron Sparks previously pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Joey Chambers was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 144 months in prison.

Robert J. Higdon Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after Flanagan accepted the verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Garner Police Department and the Greensboro Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Dodson and Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case.

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