A Cleveland man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for robbing a confidential informant who was assisting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) during a firearms investigation.
Carl P. Lewis, 28, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker after pleading guilty in May to three charges: robbery of mail, money or other property of the United States; using or carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lewis had previous convictions for robbery in 2016. In addition to his prison term, he will serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Court documents state that in October 2024, an ATF confidential informant communicated with Lewis via text messages regarding the sale of several firearms. They agreed to meet at a designated location for the transaction. Upon arrival, Lewis demanded $2,500 cash from the informant before showing the firearms. When the informant requested to see the weapons first, Lewis retrieved them from inside a home but then became agitated and threatened violence.
A struggle ensued between Lewis and the informant over control of the firearms. During this confrontation, another individual emerged from inside the residence and pointed a pistol equipped with a laser at the informant. Lewis forcibly took $2,500 from the victim against his will. The incident was captured on video.
Lewis was arrested on a federal criminal complaint and found in possession of a rifle and two pistols.
The ATF investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.
“There is no place for violent criminals who threaten public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who commit acts of violence.”
