Brandon Man Pleads Guilty To Armed Robberies In Riverview

BRANDON, FL ? A Brandon man has recently pleaded guilty in a Tampa court to two armed robberies in the Riverview area, the U.S. State Attorney's Office said.

Taphonie Prince, 25, pointed a gun at a store clerk at the Circle K, 2820 U.S. Highway 301 South, Riverview on Nov. 23, 2018, demanding she give him all the money in the cash register, investigators said. He took a total of $50, and forced the employee to the back of the store before he left.

The plea agreement said in the evening of Dec. 12, 2018, Prince pointed a gun at a store employee inside the BP gas station, 6459 U.S. Highway 301 South, Riverview, demanding the clerk give him all the money from the register. He took $200, and then struck the employee with his gun. The victim was forced to move back to the store before he left.

Prince faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 14 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been yet been set. His criminal history include prior state court convictions for burglary and robbery, according to authorities.