North Texas Armed Serial Robber Sentenced 60 Years Federal Prison

Charles Brownlee, a 37-year-old serial robber, was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies targeting five cash loan businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Brownlee committed these crimes at gunpoint over 12 days in May 2024, using disguises such as a medical mask and baseball caps to conceal his identity, and was convicted on multiple counts including Hobbs Act conspiracy and firearm offenses. The sentence reflects a concerted effort by the FBI's Dallas Field Office and local police departments through the Longhorn Violent Crimes Task Force to deter violent crime and protect community safety. Meanwhile, in Illinois, Charles Lawler received a sentence of seven years and eight months in federal prison for robbing five financial institutions with the assistance of an accomplice who served as a getaway driver. Lawler pled guilty to these robberies, which occurred between 2021 and 2022, and his accomplice has been convicted but not yet sentenced. These cases highlight ongoing federal and local law enforcement collaborations aimed at combating violent and financial crimes in different regions.